Today we tell you about its origin, history and arrival in Spain. Few fruits evoke summer as much as watermelon. Refreshing, juicy and colorful, it is a favorite when temperatures rise. But have you ever wondered where watermelon comes from? Its history is as interesting as its taste. Join us on this journey back in time to discover the origin and history of watermelon, how it spread around the world and especially, who brought watermelon to Spain?
Origin and history of watermelon
To understand the origin of the watermelon, it is necessary to go back thousands of years to the arid regions of northeastern Africa. Several botanical researches agree that the watermelon originated in the Kalahari Desert, in what is now Namibia and Botswana. In their earliest forms, these fruits were not as sweet as we know them today. It is believed that they were rather bitter or tasteless, and were consumed mainly for their high water content, a vital resource in such dry areas.
The ancient Egyptians were among the first to domesticate watermelon. Seeds have been found in tombs more than 4,000 years old, including that of Tutankhamun. For the Egyptians, watermelon was not only food: it was a symbol of life and regeneration, and was offered to the dead so that they would not go thirsty on their journey to the afterlife.
From Egypt, the watermelon began to spread along the trade routes. It soon reached regions such as the Mediterranean, Persia (present-day Iran) and India, where it began to be cultivated selectively for sweeter fruits. Thanks to cultural and commercial exchange, watermelon continued its expansion to Europe and Asia.
In China, for example, cultivation has been recorded since the 10th century, and today it is one of the world’s leading producers. Its ability to adapt to the warm climate has made it a global crop.
Who brought the watermelon to Spain?
Now, knowing where the watermelon comes from, a natural question arises: Who brought the watermelon to Spain?
The origin of watermelon in Spain takes us to a key period in history: the Muslim expansion in the Iberian Peninsula. It was the Arabs who, during their rule in Al-Andalus (711-1492), introduced numerous crops from Asia and Africa, including watermelon.
The Muslims brought not only seeds, but also advanced agricultural techniques that made it possible to adapt watermelon cultivation to the Mediterranean climate. Thanks to their irrigation systems, such as irrigation ditches and waterwheels, they made this fruit thrive in the warm lands of what are now Andalusia, Murcia and Valencia.
Agricultural documents from the Middle Ages mention the presence of watermelon in Andalusian orchards, and its popularity grew among the local population. After the Reconquest, watermelon cultivation not only continued, but expanded throughout Spain, becoming an essential fruit in the summer diet.
In short, it was the Arabs who brought the watermelon to Spain, where it found a perfect home thanks to the climate, the agricultural culture and the taste for fresh food.
Watermelon today: from an ancient symbol to a must-have fruit
Today, although we no longer need watermelons to survive in the desert, they are still highly valued. Spain has become one of the main watermelon producers in Europe, with regions such as Almeria, Murcia and Valencia standing out.
Today’s varieties are the result of centuries of selection and improvement. Today we enjoy seedless watermelons, with sweeter flesh, different colors and even unusual shapes, such as the famous square watermelons from Japan.
Globalization has made watermelon an international fruit, but it still retains the essence that has accompanied it since ancient times: to be a symbol of freshness, life and enjoyment.
Now that you know where watermelon comes from, its millenary history and who brought watermelon to Spain, you will surely look at it with different eyes. From African deserts to modern Spanish plantations, this fruit has come a long way to delight us every summer.
The next time you enjoy a juicy slice, remember that you’re not only fighting the heat: you’re also savoring thousands of years of history and tradition.
