WHICH PART OF THE WATERMELON IS THE MOST USEFUL? (ANSWER: ALL OF IT!)

Between being a supremely delicious and highly versatile fruit, it’s no wonder why watermelon is so great. In case you needed another reason to love it, did you know that watermelon is one of those foods that can be 100 percent consumed? It’s true: from the tiny seeds within to the white skin of the rind, you can use every part of the watermelon in some way, shape or form.

Don’t believe me? Here’s an inside-out look at the many uses for every part of the watermelon, courtesy of the new-and-improved National Watermelon Promotion Board website.

It’s the part of the watermelon that you know and love – the juicy, succulent inside! The color of the flesh can range from a deep red to light pink and even yellow and orange. While I can’t tell you which is the best (it’s really up to you), I can tell you the best watermelon is the one that’s sitting right in front of you.

The second-best thing you can do with the flesh — besides eat it — is puree it. At 92 percent water, watermelon is an excellent source of hydration. You can add it into some agua fresca or simply blend it into a smoothie. Either way, you can eat your watermelon and drink it, too!

That green-striped part of the fruit that always gets discarded? Well, it turns out there are many nutritious uses for it. Not only is the rind edible, but it’s actually really good for you. The rind contains high levels of citrulline, watermelon’s key nutrient, which can aid weight loss and weight management. But if you don’t feel like eating the rind, you can always make something creative out of it, like these people did!

This is my favorite way to enjoy watermelon. Because of the fruit’s shape and size, making fun, easy-to-eat fresh cuts are simple. Watermelon is so versatile that it can accompany many foods in tons of dishes or stand alone as a healthy snack.

Next time you cut into a big, juicy watermelon, keep in mind all the ways you can utilize this amazing fruit! It does my heart (and stomach) good to know that no parts of the watermelon will be wasted, and all almost all of it will be devoured.

UP NEXT: Celebrating National Iced Tea Day

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