BEHIND THE WATERMLEON: THE CRIMSON SWEET

I have to admit, as I research this “Behind the Watermelon” column each month, I learn more facts about watermelon than I ever knew existed. I dare say at this point that I might even be an official “watermelon expert.” I’ve always wanted to be an expert at something.

This month’s watermelon is the Crimson Sweet (not to be confused with the recently disbanded punk/glam/power-pop group from New York City). The Crimson Sweet is round to oblong in shape and a member of the “picnic” family of watermelons, which contains the largest watermelons typically available. The Crimson Sweet can weigh anywhere from 16 to 35 pounds and is light green with dark green stripes.

True to its name, the Crimson Sweet has sweet flesh thanks to a slightly higher than average sugar content (almost 12 percent).

It’s funny that Crimson Sweet is also the name of a now defunct punk rock band, considering this column was inspired by a TV series which dives into the sordid pasts of bands past and present. I’m not sure if Crimson Sweet has any juicy details in their past that would make them likely candidates for the show, but it might be worth looking into.