Mark Twain, who famously adored watermelon, described it as the “chief of the world’s luxuries…when one has tasted it, he knows what angels eat.” In in the summer, we want nothing more for dessert than watermelon, which contains 92 percent water.

While we may think of it as the quintessential American fruit, watermelons (Citrullus lanatus) are enjoyed worldwide. They are natives of Africa. The ancient Egyptians were cultivating them in the Nile River Valley at least by 2,000 BCE; Paintings of enormous and unmistakable watermelons have been found on the walls of Egyptian tombs. Watermelons seem to have arrived in Europe in the eighth century with the invading Moors, who crossed Africa, presumably picking up watermelons en route, on their way