WATER MELON, TEMBIKAI

The water melon is a native of tropical and subtropical Africa but has been cultivated since ancient times. Unlike other fruits, water-melon plants have weak, creeping stems and climb by tendrils, and the fruit ripen on the ground. The fruits vary greatly in size and shape; color, texture, flavor and sugar content of flesh; and color, size and number of seeds. Many varieties are available in Malaysia. The plants are grown from seeds. The fruits are ready for harvesting about 100 days or more after sowing. The water-melon fruit is usually eaten raw as a favorite thirst quencher. In addition to the flesh, dried parched seeds called kuaci are also consumed.