Guide to Different Watermelon Varieties - Seeded, Seedless, Mini, Yellow

Exploring the Unique Qualities of Various Watermelon Varieties

That juicy red slice of sweet summertime watermelon is a warm weather treat that most people recognize. But did you know there are actually hundreds of different types of watermelon growing around the world? From petite personal-sized melons to giants tipping the scales over 200 pounds, watermelons come in a rainbow of flesh colors beyond just red. The rind patterns and textures also widely differ between cultivars. And most importantly, each watermelon variety has its own distinct flavor profile and unique nutritional qualities.

Watermelon Classification

Watermelons belong to the Cucurbitaceae plant family which also includes cantaloupe, honeydew, squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers. The watermelon species Citrullus lanatus originated in the Kalahari Desert region of Africa. Watermelons are further classified by their seed type into four main cultivar groups:

• Seeded watermelons have hard, black, or brown seeds interspersed throughout their juicy red flesh just like the classic watermelons most people are familiar with.
• Seedless varieties have been specially bred to produce sterile white seed coats where viable seeds would normally develop.
• Picnic or ice box melons are smaller, rounder varieties usually weighing under ten pounds.
• Yellow/orange fleshed watermelons contain higher levels of beneficial antioxidants compared to traditional red types.

What Determines a Watermelon's Taste and Texture?

Contrary to popular belief, a watermelons ripeness is not determined by the white spot on its underside. This is simply where the watermelon sat on the ground while growing. Instead, a melons sugar content primarily influences its sweetness and flavor. Anthocyanins, carotenoids, and other phytonutrients also affect the melons final color and antioxidant levels.

A watermelon will not continue to ripen once harvested from the vine. So commercial farmers use special instruments like a Brix analyzer to non-destructively measure the dissolved sugar concentration right there in the field. This helps them determine each melons peak harvest time for ideal sweetness and flavor. The texture and moisture content of a watermelons flesh also influences its mouthfeel from juicy and crunchy to soft and cottony when overripe.

Popular Diploid Seeded Watermelon Varieties

Seeded diploid watermelons make up the majority of the worlds watermelon crop. Diploid means these non-hybrid watermelons possess two sets of chromosomes. Over 200 varieties of seeded diploid watermelons exist, but certain cultivars dominate commercial production and garden plots thanks to their exceptional sweetness, texture, appearance, and other favorable traits.

Charleston Gray Watermelon

As its name denotes, mature Charleston Gray watermelons feature a grayish-green rind with darker green mottled striping. Its oblong shape grows up to 30 pounds with crimson red flesh containing small black seeds. With a crisp, sugary texture and honey-like flavor, it rates among the best tasting watermelon varieties.

Black Diamond Watermelon

Weighing up to 40 pounds each, Black Diamond is aptly named for its extremely dark green, almost black rind that turns glossy when ripe. Its red flesh tends very sweet and juicy while containing uniquely small, baby corn sized white seeds. Black Diamond melons command premium prices at market thanks to exceptional flavor.

Crimson Sweet Watermelon

Known for large yields and excellent disease resistance, Crimson Sweet is the most widely cultivated open-pollinated watermelon variety in the world. Its sweet, fiberless red flesh and thin, rough dark green rind make it a backyard gardener favorite. These oval melons typically reach about 25 pounds at maturity.

Sweet Petite Personal Sized Watermelons

Weighing under 10 pounds on average, icebox or personal watermelons offer single serving convenience and portion control for smaller households. Their compact size also allows them to ripen quicker with a sweeter taste in cool, shorter growing season climates. Popular petite melon varieties include:

Sugar Baby Watermelon

Sugar Baby delivers full-sized watermelon flavor concentrated down into a smaller melon typically under 8 pounds. Its dark green skin turns nearly solid black when ripe. Icebox sized Sugar Baby melons maintain an exceptionally sweet red flesh perfect for single servings.

Extazy Watermelon

This high quality round hybrid Icebox type bears 7 to 8 pound fruit with bright red sweet flesh and a distinctive small dark green rind with orange-yellow mottling when ripe. Extazy displays strong disease resistance and an unusually thick rind that travels well.

Mickylee Watermelon

Prolific and easy to grow, Mickylee presents high yields of round 6 to 7 pound melons. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in flavor with its dark red sugary flesh, thin brittle rind, and super sweet taste earning it awards for eating quality.

Seeking Out Rare and Heirloom Watermelons

Part of the allure of growing your own watermelons or shopping from local farms is discovering delightful exotic and heirloom fruit not found commercially. Tracking down rare tasty varieties like the stark white Cream of Saskatchewan or the eerily coal black Congo watermelon offers rewarding adventures for enthusiastic food gardeners and melon connoisseurs.

The Appeal of Seedless and Triploid Watermelons

Naturally seedless mutant watermelon plants occasionally occur in diploid seeded varieties. But commercial seedless watermelon production utilizes triploid seeds. These watermelons carry three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two, making them sterile and unable to develop hard viable seeds in their fruit.

While triploids typically lack some of the fullness of flavor compared to seeded melons, the convenience and ease of eating their seedless flesh still entices many consumers. Popular commercial triploid varieties like Tri-X Palomar, Revolution, and Sangria mini have helped boost watermelon sales and kicked off innovative new products like seedless watermelon radishes.

Tapping into the Nutrition of Orange and Yellow Flesh Watermelons

While bright crimson watermelon flesh dazzles the eyes, orange and golden fleshed varieties offer their own unique nutritive and antioxidant advantages. Colored by beneficial carotenoids like lycopene and beta carotene instead of anthocyanins, many find yellow or orange fleshed watermelon even sweeter and more flavorful than traditional red types.

Desert King Watermelon

Hailing from the Kalahari Desert, Desert Kings sunny yellow flesh provides a sweet tropical twist on standard watermelon flavor. These large oblong fruits weigh over 30 pounds apiece with light green and yellow patterned rinds. Desert King ranks high in sugars and vitamins while also supplying beneficial antioxidants.

Orangeglo Watermelon

As its name hints, Orangeglo bears vivid orange-red fleshed round fruit averaging 15 pounds each. Its thin dark green striped rind encases exceptionally sweet, fruity and juicy flesh with high lycopene levels. This diploid hybrid watermelon took over 20 years to perfect its signature candy-like taste and vibrant color through selective breeding.

Discovering Your New Favorite Watermelon Variety

While most grocery stores stick to selling common round red seeded watermelons and maybe one type of seedless variety, an incredibly diverse world of watermelons exists out there. Hundreds of different cultivars and unique exotic melons offer more choices in flavor, texture, size, sweetness, and nutrition than you ever imagined.

Seeking out farmers markets, produce stands, specialty grocers, and even growing your own watermelons opens you up to tasting and comparing amazing new types. You may just discover a new favorite like sweet Sugar Baby, versatile Crimson Sweet, or antioxidant rich Desert King. Peruse the internet and seed catalogs to find watermelons perfectly tailored to your climate and palate.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.