There’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than bright pink, juicy watermelon. But did you know that watermelon isn't always pink? Watermelons that range in color from yellow to orange also exist, and they actually last longer than reddish-pink watermelons.
What makes them yellow?
Pink watermelon gets its signature color from lycopene, the same antioxidant that gives grapefruit and tomatoes their red color. Yellow watermelons, on the other hand, do not contain lycopene, so they do not appear pink. So a better question might be - what makes a pink watermelon pink?
Yellow watermelon and pink watermelon
Because bright pink watermelon flesh is synonymous with summer, it might be surprising to learn that yellow watermelons are actually grown before pink/red watermelons. Yellow watermelons were first cultivated in Africa 5,000 years ago. After generations of selective crossbreeding for color, texture and sweetness, pink varieties began to appear over time as the hybrids' lycopene content increased.
The difference between yellow watermelon and pink watermelon is more than just color. The yellow variety is said to be sweet and taste almost like honey. They also have a thicker coat than their red counterparts. But since both have green skin, you may not be able to tell them apart visually.
Nutritionally, both types of watermelon are rich in vitamins A and C. Although yellow watermelon does not contain lycopene, it is rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that may prevent cancer.
Due to natural hybridization, both yellow and pink watermelons come in different varieties, including seeded and seedless varieties. Regardless, you can use yellow watermelon just like you would regular watermelon.
