Some in Acadiana Are Returning Watermelons Due to Color

(Braux Bridge, Louisiana) - Summer is officially here, and one of our favorite treats once the temperatures soar in South Louisiana is a cold watermelon

For years, I couldn't wait for summer to arrive so I could score a sweet watermelon. I will never forget the days we cut a watermelon at home when I was a kid, and on the inside it was yellow.

From that day on, I've been on the hunt for a yellow watermelon, and they aren't easy to find.

Well, a couple of days ago, we were in Breaux Bridge. As we approached an intersection, I noticed a fruit stand near the corner and told my wife we should stop because I had been craving a watermelon. Without any hesitation, she turns in and lets's go get one.

We stopped at Foti's, which is known for its great produce and fruit selection. As soon as we walked up to the entrance, there were the melons, but I wasn't done. I wanted to see more inside, and I am glad that I journeyed through the fruit stand because there were more melons for sale, and yes, it was the yellow meat melons.

I told my wife, we are getting one, and she said, let's do it. So, when we got to the register to pay, the man checking customers out asked if I knew that the smaller melon was yellow. I replied, "I do."

And that's when he told us that he always asks now because some customers were purchasing them, not knowing that they were yellow, and then returning them. To be fair, the fruit stand does have a sign noting that these melons, which are apart from the others, are indeed yellow, but apparently, some have overlooked it.

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He would go on to tell us that those who were returning the yellow melons thought that something was "Wrong with them," not knowing that they are perfectly fine and even somewhat sweeter than the traditional watermelons.

Why Some Watermelons Are Yellow

Red melons contain the antioxidant lycopene, which gives off the red color, while yellow watermelons contain beta-carotene, which is the same pigment found in carrots.

Farm Flavor says that while yellow melons may not be as abundant as red ones, they predate traditional red watermelons, having been grown in Africa for over 5,000 years.

Yellow melons also contain tropical notes of honey and apricot.

Best Way to Select Ripe Watermelon

When you're selecting a watermelon this summer, remember: the heavier, the sweeter. Always choose the one with the darkest field mark.

I hope you find the perfect watermelon this summer. If you've never tried a yellow watermelon before, give it a try and see if you prefer it to the traditional red one.

person holding green sliced watermelon