Many of us are accustomed to one variety of watermelon, and we envision the fruit with the striped green color outside and red fleshed inside, freckled with black seeds. However, there are over 300 varieties of watermelon, and some of their characteristics may be visually surprising.
Watermelons that are pink, yellow, or white on the inside mean different things. Watermelon with a yellow inside is natural, edible, and flavorful, whereas a watermelon with a pink or white inside might indicate a problem or mean that the watermelon isn’t ripe yet.
This article will discuss the differences in the watermelon insides and why the coloring varies. It will also take a look at other non-traditional watermelons.
Why is My Watermelon Yellow Inside?
If your watermelon has yellow flesh, you are in for a lovely sweet treat. Yellow watermelons are a natural mutation. Not only does it look different than the variety that we typically see, but it also has a dramatically different taste.
Your watermelon is yellow inside because it lacks one naturally occurring compound: lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid, and carotenoids impact the pigment of fruits as well as vegetables and plants.
Lycopene is responsible for the red in regular watermelons and the red in other fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, ruby red grapefruits, and apricots. From a health standpoint, lycopene has antioxidant properties and can help improve cholesterol (source: Very Well Health).
Yellow-fleshed watermelon is sweeter than red-fleshed watermelons. The flavor is often described as honey-like. Some yellow varieties to try are Moon and Stars Yellow and Mountain Sweet Yellow (source: Gardening Know How).
Why Does My Watermelon Have Yellow Spots?
Yellow spots on the watermelon’s exterior usually mean that the watermelon was picked at the right time. Interior spots could mean that the watermelon has a high concentration of nitrates, in which case you should not consume it.
When selecting a watermelon at the grocery store or produce market, there are some visuals to look for. Pick up the watermelon and look at its belly, which is also referred to as the ground spot. The ground spot is the part of the watermelon that was in contact with the ground before it was harvested.
If the belly of the watermelon is yellow, it is likely that it was picked at just the right time. A watermelon that was plucked before ripeness tends to have a whiter spot instead. There are other things to look for to help you select a good watermelon (source: Healthline).
After looking at the ground spot, check these out too:
- Shape. That is, without bumps, dents, or cuts. Ideally, your watermelon will be oval-ish in shape.
- Feel of the watermelon. Watermelons are predominantly water, over 90%. Ripe watermelons are full of juice and should feel a bit heavy.
- Sound. The watermelons should have a deep sound when tapped.
- Firmness. No one wants a squishy outer watermelon.
A yellow spot on the outside of the watermelon is actually a good thing. Yellow spots on the inside of the rind, that you discover only after slicing it open, are indicative of problems with the watermelon.
Yellow in the rind points to one thing: nitrates. High levels of nitrates should not be consumed, as it could lead to food poisoning. Some farmers exceed the normal nitrogen levels to speed up the growing process. If your watermelon has a yellow rind color, toss it out.
Watermelon White Inside – Causes
Watermelon that is white on the inside is usually an indication that something went wrong, most likely in the ripening stage. A white-fleshed watermelon might have been over-watered or was picked before it is ripe (source: Farm It Yourself).
Again, lycopene plays a role. A watermelon that is picked too early will not have a chance to develop its color. The lycopene increases the longer the watermelon is allowed to ripen. Watermelon needs 65 to 120 days to fully ripen, peaking at anywhere from 70 to 90 days.
Picking a watermelon at the right time may seem difficult with such a wide span of time where it could be potentially ripe. Below are some things to check for to determine if your watermelon is ready to be picked.
- You can dent the watermelon with your fingernail. The watermelon should be firm on the outside.
- The watermelon does not come off the vine easily. Once a watermelon is ripe, the vine will dry up.
- The belly of the watermelon is white. A ripe watermelon will have a pale yellow belly.
While a white inside can mean there was an issue with the growing process or picking a fresh watermelon before it is ripe, there are some types of watermelons that are naturally white on the interior.
One of these is the cream of Saskatchewan watermelon. It should be noted, however, that the cream of Saskatchewan is rare. Still, this is a smaller watermelon type, typically only 6 to 12 pounds (2.72-5.44 kg).
Other interesting characteristics of this variety is that it has a relatively short growing season, a thin rind, and does not keep long (source: Wildrose Heritage Seed Company).
Why Is My Watermelon Pink and not Red?
The traditional watermelon that many of us know and love has bright red insides. Occasionally, in place of the red insides, some watermelons have pink flesh.
Your watermelon is pink and not red because it is likely overripe. While a pink interior is sometimes normal, pink color is also an indicator that whoever plucked the watermelon did so a little too late.
Before you get to the flesh, there are other indicators that the watermelon is overripe. A faded, discolored, or splotchy outer are all signs that the watermelon is beyond its peak. You can also check watermelons for any external dents or deformities, as this can also indicate an over-ripe watermelon (source: SFGate).
Grocery store options have narrowed our perception of what a watermelon may look like. However, there are many more watermelons to experience, including those with pink, yellow, and white insides.
What Does It Mean If a Watermelon Is Pink and White?
If a watermelon is pink and white, it means it’s normal and can be eaten and enjoyed. A healthy, ripe watermelon should be pink or red on the inside with a pale white rind. On the outside, the rind should be green. So if your watermelon has pink and white colors on the inside, you needn’t worry.
When the inside is pink (or red) and white, it indicates that the fruit was picked at the right time. It’s easy to pick watermelons too early and too late because it can be hard to know exactly when they’re ripe just by looking at them.
And since watermelons don’t continue to ripen once they’re picked, it’s important that they’re perfectly ripe right when they’re removed from the soil or plant.
Thankfully, your watermelon is perfect due to its pink and white colors, so you don’t have to worry about it being bad or too ripe!
But if it’s pale pink rather than hot pink, it’s likely that the watermelon is overripe. I mentioned earlier that a faded pink shade indicates over-ripeness, so it’s important to consider the shade of pink if you’re trying to determine whether the colors are normal or not.
Comments are closed.