A photo from open sources
A very interesting painting by the Italian painter Giovanni The seventeenth-century stanchi was auctioned off “Christie’s” in London. A work of art has allowed the world scientists determine how has changed over the past four hundred years watermelon.
In a picture depicting the various vegetables and fruits available in Italy during the Renaissance, you can consider everyone’s favorite fruit (or rather, a berry). Two cut watermelons are located in lower right corner of the stanchi canvas. Although unusual for modern man’s look, exactly what watermelon looked like four centuries ago. Then it began to be cultivated, and sweet juicy pumpkins began to take the form we are used to Today.
James Nienhouse is an American researcher at the University of Wisconsin – said that exhibited at a London auction the picture is a wonderful illustration of the history of selection. how Watermelon is known to come from Africa. After cultivating him began to grow successfully in the states of southern Europe and the Middle East. There are historical documents that state that Europe cultivated watermelon went on sale around 1700, that is, half a century after Giovanni wrote his picture with wild watermelons.
American professor suggests that despite not very attractive appearance, Renaissance watermelons could be quite sweet and tasty due to its high sugar content. In those times, wild watermelons were not only eaten, but also made of them wine, and for this the fruit juice must be very sweet.
Experts also concluded that the pumpkin placenta contained too little lycopene, so the watermelon was not enough in red. In addition, he had much larger bones. Today these watermelon properties are altered by selection. On sale even berries completely seedless can be found. And the Japanese used selection to create square watermelons as well – for more convenient transportation.
