MadSci Network: Botany
Query:

Re: how much water is in a watermelon?

Date: Sun Sep 17 00:57:06 2000
Posted By: David Hershey, Faculty, Botany, NA
Area of science: Botany
ID: 969110569.Bt
Message:

You have an interesting question that you might want to answer by measuring it 
for yourself by weighing a small sample of watermelon, drying it in an oven, 
and weighing it again. Plant tissue is usually dried at 55 to 65 degrees 
Celsius. If you dry it in a baking oven, leave the door ajar for ventilation.

A table of food nutritional values says watermelon is 92% water by weight. It 
did not specify if that include the rind or seeds. Other common values were 
strawberry (90%), raisins (18%), Thompson Seedless grapes (81%), lettuce (95%) 
and celery (94%).

Reference

Duetsch, R.M. 1971. The Family Guide to Better Food and Better Health. New 
York: Bantam Books.


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