[Sca-cooks] Newbie Question about Watermelon

[Terry Decker]

Watermelon is of African origin.  It was being cultivated in Egypt around 
2000 BCE.  There is some disagreement about whether or not it was well known 
to the ancient Romans, but it certainly became available in Europe after the 
Arab expansion.

Bear



>I am new to the SCA and read a great but fairly general article for 
>beginners that broke fruits and vegetables down into New World and Old 
>World foods, but I didn't see watermelon on the list.  The article 
>indicated that cantalope (musk melons) and honeydew were Old World.  This 
>article was from the SCA websites.  Does anyone know the status and/or 
>history of  watermelon, or how it would have been served?  I am assuming 
>that it was seasonable and was probably limited to warmer climates.
>
> Cristiana