Category: Small
Before they were selectively bred for sweetness, ancient, wildly bitter watermelons were prized in the Kalahari Desert purely as little canteens that could store water for months. A juicy, playful tribute to finding absolute refreshment in the driest, most unexpected places.
Opened one up after reading about how they were used as natural canteens in the desert, and honestly the flesh is way more thirst-quenching than any modern melon I've had. The little size makes it perfect for a solo picnic, and it's lasted a week on my counter without going soft.
I was skeptical about the whole "wild" watermelon thing, but the flesh is a lot more fibrous than I'm used to and the flavor swings toward tangy, not sugary. Still, I love that I can just leave it on the counter for a couple of weeks and it stays perfectly crisp inside.
Cut one open after three weeks in the pantry and it was still crisp and hydrating, exactly the little water-storing canteen the description promised. The bite is less sweet than modern melons but has that earthy, wild tang I actually prefer.
