Everything you need to know about delicious yellow watermelons

Everything You Need to Know About Yellow Watermelons

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Everything you need to know about delicious yellow watermelons – the real deal on this tropical, golden-fleshed melon’s origins, taste, nutrition, price, and how to pick the perfect ripe fruit.

Cutting open a ripe yellow melon reveals why it deserves a place among all the watermelon varieties
Cutting open a ripe yellow melon reveals why it deserves a place among all the watermelon varieties(Istock)

Have you ever seen a bright golden yellow watermelon at the grocery store or farmers market and wondered – what’s the deal with that? Yellow-fleshed watermelons may seem exotic, but they’re actually a naturally occurring varietal of watermelon with a vibrant color and sweet taste all their own.

Keep reading this comprehensive guide to learn everything about yellow watermelons! We’ll cover where they come from, how to pick a ripe melon, how the flavor compares to red, nutrition facts, ways to eat them, and answers to common questions about these tropical-tasting beauties. Whether you’re curious to try one or already a yellow watermelon fan, this guide will make you an expert on the canary melon.

What are Yellow Watermelons?

Yellow watermelons, sometimes called golden watermelons or yellow-flesh watermelons, are a variety of Citrullus lanatus that has a bright golden-yellow flesh instead of the familiar red interior we associate with watermelon. They share the same scientific name and origins as traditional red watermelon but have some key differences.

There are over 200 cultivars of watermelon that come in a rainbow of colors both inside and out. Yellow watermelon is one of those naturally colorful varietals – there is no genetic modification or artificial coloring involved to achieve its sunny hue. It owes its golden flesh to having less of the antioxidant pigment lycopene that makes red watermelon so crimson.

Some common varieties of yellow watermelon
Some common varieties of yellow watermelon

Some common varieties of yellow watermelon include:

  • Moon and Stars – The most popular yellow watermelon variety, featuring a bright yellow rind with pretty dark green speckles. The pattern is how it gets its celestial name.
  • Golden Midget – A cute personal-sized yellow melon that weighs only 4-6 lbs. Perfect for single servings. Has a round shape.
  • Amarillo Oro – A large oblong yellow melon weighing 10-14 lbs. Has light green stripes on the exterior.
  • Desert King – All yellow on the inside and outside. Oval shape can reach 30 lbs.

So don’t be fooled by its unusual hue – yellow watermelon is the real McCoy when it comes to tasty melons!

Where Do Yellow Watermelons Come From?

The origins of yellow watermelon can be traced back to the continent of Africa, which is the ancestral birthplace of all watermelon types over 4,000 years ago. Watermelons grew wild in Africa’s Kalahari Desert long before being cultivated as a crop.

The origins of yellow watermelon can be traced back to the continent of Africa
The origins of yellow watermelon can be traced back to the continent of Africa

From Africa, yellow watermelons spread along trade routes to other warm regions of the globe including South America, the Mediterranean, Asia, and eventually the United States. They require a long growing season of hot temperatures to develop their characteristic sweetness and texture.

Today, most yellow watermelons found in American grocery stores are imported from Central America during the colder months when they are out of season domestically. Costa Rica and Panama now cultivate and export large quantities to meet demand.

Locally, yellow watermelons thrive best in Southern states when grown during summer. You can often find freshly harvested yellow watermelons at roadside farm stands or farmers markets during their peak season. They are still considered a specialty crop versus mass-produced red watermelon.

How Does Yellow Watermelon Taste?

Cutting open a ripe yellow melon reveals why it deserves a place among all the watermelon varieties – its flesh is a brilliant goldenrod hue! That sunshine color also comes with a unique sweet flavor. Here’s how yellow watermelon tastes:

  • Sweeter – With a higher sugar content than red watermelon, yellow has a honey-like sweetness balanced by a slight tartness. The lower water content concentrates the natural sugars.
  • Tropical – Floral, fruity notes of mango, pineapple, and peach create a more complex flavor than red’s straightforward watermelon essence.
  • Creamy – Dense and firm flesh similar in texture to a ripe banana or mango. Less watery than red.
  • Crisp – Maintains its shape when cut and doesn’t get mushy. A satisfying crunch comes from the edible seeds.

Some describe the taste as a cross between honeydew melon and mango. It’s ideal for those who find conventional red watermelon to be too bland or watery. The tropical fruitiness enhances its snacking appeal.

Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits

Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits of Yellow Watermelon
Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits of Yellow Watermelon

One cup of yellow watermelon contains:

  • Calories: 30
  • Fat: 0g
  • Sodium: 1mg
  • Potassium: 270mg
  • Carbs: 8g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 6g

Its nutritional value is quite similar to traditional red watermelon. However, yellow watermelon delivers some exceptional health benefits:

  • Immunity – With 90% of your daily vitamin C needs in a single cup, yellow watermelon can give your immune system a powerful boost.
  • Heart health – Yellow watermelon has citrulline that can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
  • Hydration – With a water content over 90%, yellow watermelon is ideal for rehydrating. Electrolytes like potassium aid fluid balance.
  • Detoxification – It has a diuretic effect to flush out excess water and toxins from the body through urination.
  • Skin health – Vitamins A and C shield skin from sun damage and stimulate collagen production for supple, glowing skin.
  • Digestion – Fiber and water content relieves constipation and promotes regularity.

Due to its vibrant color, yellow watermelon is also packed with protective carotenoid antioxidants like beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Overall an amazing source of hydration and nutrients!

Selecting the Perfect Yellow Watermelon

Choosing peak-ripeness yellow watermelon relies on some telltale signs:

  • Size – Select melons between 8-15 lbs. Oversized melons risk being less sweet.
  • Shape – Avoid oblong or lopsided melons, opting for symmetrical ovals. Even shape indicates even ripening.
  • Color – Rinds should be pale greenish-yellow without white streaks or blemishes.
  • Firmness – Press the rind – it should dent slightly but feel solid. Overly soft spots mean overripe.
  • Sound – Tap the melon – a hollow thump signals ripeness versus dull thud if underripe.
  • Spot – Flip it over to reveal a creamy yellow/tan “ground spot” where it rested on the soil, signaling maturity.

Cutting into a ripe yellow melon rewards you with brilliant golden flesh speckled with crunchy black seeds throughout. Beware any brown stringiness or mushiness.

Where You Can Buy Yellow Watermelon

Since yellow watermelon is still considered a specialty variety, you may have to look beyond the average grocery store to find it. Here are some of the best places to locate these golden beauties:

  • Specialty grocers – Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Market and other higher-end grocers often carry yellow watermelon thanks to their exotic produce sections. Availability is best in summer.
  • Farmers markets – You’ll have the best luck finding freshly harvested yellow watermelon at local farmers markets during peak melon season in mid-to-late summer.
  • Ethnic markets – Asian and Hispanic grocery stores sometimes stock hard-to-find exotic melons from those regions.
  • Online – Melissa’s Produce and other online specialty produce delivery companies sell yellow watermelon when it’s out of season locally.
  • Seed companies – Purchase seeds of yellow watermelon varieties like Moon and Stars online to grow your own.
Everything you need to know about delicious yellow watermelons
Everything you need to know about delicious yellow watermelons

Yellow vs. Red Watermelon – Flavor and Price

So how does yellow watermelon stack up against traditional red in terms of taste preferences and price? Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Taste

  • Yellow is typically sweeter with a more honeyed, tropical essence.
  • Red has a crisper, juicier, thirst-quenching flavor.
  • Texture of yellow is dense and creamy while red is wetter and crunchier.
  • Personal taste preference will determine which you enjoy more!

Price

  • Expect to pay around $2-4 per pound for yellow watermelon, even more at the height of melon season.
  • Red watermelon costs between $0.50-1 per pound year-round.
  • Lower availability and specialty status makes yellow watermelon more expensive.

Taste test both types to decide which you like better! Mixing yellow and red makes a festive fruit salad.

How to Eat Yellow Watermelon

Beyond eating fresh wedges of yellow melon, get creative with these preparation ideas:

  • Fruit Salad – Toss yellow melon chunks into a salad with berries, mango, stone fruits, and red watermelon. The mix of colors and flavors is sublime.
  • Salsa – Dice yellow melon and combine with red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice for a unique salsa twist. Scoop up with tortilla chips!
  • Smoothies – Blend yellow melon with Greek yogurt, banana, ice, and a splash of orange juice. Frothy and nutritious.
  • Infused Water – Add melon slices and fresh mint or basil leaves to a pitcher of ice water. Infuse the water with bright flavor.
  • Frozen Treats – Puree melon with pineapple juice and frozen banana chunks to make dairy-free “nice cream.” Also great in sorbets, ice pops or blended drinks.
  • Salads – Toss cubes into leafy green, grain, pasta, or chicken salads for juicy texture.
  • Kabobs – Skewer melon chunks next to shrimp, scallops, chicken, halloumi or prosciutto for a colorful, meaty meal.
  • Chilled Soups – Blend melon with cucumber, herbs, and a splash of vinegar or vermouth for refreshing chilled soups. Garnish with some Fresh sprig of mint.

With its sunny vibrance and sweet tropical essence, yellow watermelon certainly makes any recipe more lively and delicious!

Frequently Asked Questions about Yellow Watermelon

Still have some lingering questions about yellow watermelon? Here are answers to some of the Common FAQs About Yellow Watermelon:

What is a yellow watermelon called?

Yellow watermelon, golden watermelon, yellow-flesh watermelon, and canary melon are some of the names people use for it. Popular varieties include Moon and Stars, Golden Midget, Desert King and Amarillo Oro.

Where does yellow watermelon come from?

Like all watermelon, yellow watermelon originated thousands of years ago in Africa before spreading across the world’s warmer regions via trade routes. Today it is commercially grown in Africa, South America, Central America, Asia, Europe, and the United States.

What does a yellow watermelon taste like?

Yellow watermelon is sweeter and more tropical tasting than red varieties. It has a subtle honeydew melon and mango essence and dense creamy flesh, unlike red’s crisp juiciness. The texture is also firmer.

Is yellow watermelon Sweet or Savory?

Yes, yellow watermelon tends to be much sweeter than traditional red thanks to having higher sugar content and less water in its flesh. Some hail it as one of the sweetest melons you can eat!

Where can I buy yellow watermelon?

Your best bets are grocery stores like Whole Foods, farmers markets in summer and fall, ethnic markets, and online retailers if you can’t find yellow watermelon locally. Availability is highest July-September.

Is yellow watermelon safe to eat?

Yes, yellow watermelon is perfectly safe to eat and nutritious. There is no genetic modification or artificial coloring used – it is a 100% natural watermelon cultivar.

What is the price of yellow watermelon?

Expect to pay around double the price of red watermelon, usually $2-4 per pound. Due to small batch harvesting and specialty status, yellow watermelon demands a premium price.

Can dogs eat yellow watermelon?

In moderation, the flesh of yellow watermelon is safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat. Avoid giving dogs the rind or seeds, which can potentially cause an upset stomach if swallowed.

Where can I get yellow watermelon seeds to grow?

Order yellow watermelon seeds online through companies like Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Seed Savers Exchange, Kitazawa Seed Company, and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. The Moon and Stars cultivar is especially popular.

Are there different colors of yellow watermelon?

Yes! Watermelon comes in all shades like orange, gray, and even blue-black. There are also white, yellow, and orange-fleshed varieties. One stunning kind is Painted Mountain Purple Watermelon which has bright fuchsia-purple flesh and rind.

Enjoy the Unique Flavor of Yellow Watermelon

While not yet mainstream, golden yellow watermelons deserve a place at the table when melon season arrives. Their tropical honey-banana sweetness adds a fun new flavor to fruit salads, salsas, smoothies and more. With their impressive nutritional profile and gorgeous sunny hues, yellow watermelons are a delicious way to add color and intrigue to any dish.

Don’t be deterred by its unfamiliar look – give yellow watermelon a taste and discover your new favorite melon! With proper ripening, selection, and uses for its creamy, sweet flesh in mind, you are sure to impress guests and delight your family with yellow watermelon all season long.

Final Verdict on Yellow Watermelon: A Sweet, Tropical Treat

So what’s the final verdict on fragrant, honey-sweet yellow watermelon? This complete guide leads us to conclude that yellow watermelon is:

  • A 100% natural watermelon cultivar that originates from Africa, not artificial
  • Distinct from red watermelon in its tropical, banana-mango flavor
  • Sweeter and richer tasting than traditional red thanks to higher sugars
  • Creamier in texture with crisp, crunchy seeds
  • Nutritionally similar to red but with excellent vitamin C
  • A fun, festive addition to fruit salads, salsas, smoothies and more
  • Worth the higher price tag for its unique ambrosial eating experience
  • Finding optimal ripeness takes some tactile and visual cues
  • A refreshing, thirst-quenching way to stay hydrated on hot days

With its sunny color invoking images of sunshine, beaches and summer, it’s easy to see why interest in growing and enjoying yellow-fleshed watermelons continues to expand. Treasure them for the short season they’re available, and savor their sweet tropical essence!

So don’t judge a melon by its golden rind – give yellow watermelon a taste if you come across it at market. Its luscious flavor and texture will make a bright, juicy, delicious addition to your kitchen craft all summer long.

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