A Collection of Watermelon Varieties and Types Based on Size, Flesh Color, and Seed Presence
From seedless watermelons to apple watermelons and black-skinned watermelons, an overview of watermelon types based on flesh color and shape
When you think of watermelons, you might picture the classic green rind with black stripes, red flesh, and black seeds. However, the watermelons available in the market are actually much more diverse. There are triploid watermelons, which rarely develop seeds, apple watermelons weighing around 2 kg, and black-skinned watermelons with unstriped black rinds, as well as flesh colors that can range from red to yellow and orange. The shape can also vary, not limited to just round or elongated shapes.
When considering these names, it's essential to distinguish between registered single varieties and distribution types that encompass multiple varieties. Seedless watermelons can be explained by a triploid breeding principle that involves crossing diploid and tetraploid watermelons, but apple watermelons and black-skinned watermelons are often broadly referred to based on their size or rind color. It's best not to rely solely on the product names to determine the exact variety.
Flesh color is a trait revealed once the watermelon is ripe, while the presence or absence of seeds, fruit size, and rind color can independently combine. Within black-skinned watermelons, there can be red or yellow flesh, and not all small watermelons necessarily have few seeds.
This list organizes eight types of watermelons based on seed, size, rind color, flesh color, and shape.
Spotted Red Flesh Watermelon
Spotted Flesh Watermelon
This type of watermelon, with a green rind featuring black spots and red flesh, is the familiar general watermelon type in Korea.
It is categorized based on the familiar rind pattern and red flesh common in Korea.
The information from the Rural Development Administration's (RDA) Nongsaro regarding the ‘Spotted Flesh Watermelon’ serves as the official basis for this description.
Information to consider includes flesh color: red · variety/type classification: not an individual variety name but an appearance type · seed characteristics: generally has seeds · size type: widely distributed as medium to large · classification criteria: rind pattern and flesh color.
This is a familiar appearance type but not a single variety name, so please check the variety indication on the packaging separately.
Triploid Seedless Watermelon
Seedless watermelons in Korea are primarily produced as triploid varieties obtained from crossing diploid and tetraploid plants, featuring the characteristic of not developing seeds properly.
This is a breeding type classified based on seed formation methods and drainage capacity.
The scope of ‘Triploid Seedless Watermelon’ can be verified in the information released by the RDA's National Horticultural and Herbal Science Institute.
When applying this standard, consider the following: flesh color: varies by variety · variety/type classification: triploid breeding type · seed characteristics: very few or no seeds in triploid · size type: varies by variety · classification criteria: check seed formation and drainage capacity.
The characteristic of having few seeds is separate from size and flesh color, so look at each piece of information individually.
Apple Watermelon
The apple watermelon is a small watermelon type weighing less than 2 kg designed for single-person households, characterized by a thin rind and ease of storage.
This is a small distribution type centered around its small size and thin rind.
The detailed criteria for ‘Apple Watermelon’ can be found on the official page of the RDA.
Key information includes flesh color: mainly red, varies by variety · variety/type classification: not a specific single registered variety but a small distribution type · seed characteristics: referred to as having smaller seeds than regular watermelons · size type: small, under 2 kg · classification criteria: size, cultivation, and distribution type.
As apple watermelon is a broad small distribution type, check the weight and seed characteristics for each product.
Black Skin Watermelon
Black-Skinned Watermelon
Black-skinned watermelons are those whose skin appears entirely black instead of the usual spotted pattern, with flesh that can be either red or yellow.
This is an appearance type where the solid black rind is more prominent than stripes.
Details regarding the scope of ‘Black-Skinned Watermelon’ are clarified in the RDA's materials.
Information needed for classification includes flesh color: red or yellow · variety/type classification: not a specific single variety but black-skinned type · seed characteristics: varies by variety · size type: varies by variety · classification criteria: rind color.
The flesh color within the black rind can vary by variety, so be sure to check the labeling before cutting.
Yellow Flesh Watermelon
Yellow-Fleshed Watermelon
Yellow-fleshed watermelons are a variety of species with ripe flesh that is yellow; the RDA explains that yellow flesh varieties are sold in addition to red.
This is a variety categorized based on the yellowish color of the ripe flesh.
The name and characteristics of ‘Yellow-Fleshed Watermelon’ have been organized based on guidance from the RDA's Nongsaro.
Points for comparison include flesh color: yellow · variety/type classification: variety type with yellow flesh · seed characteristics: varies by variety · size type: varies by variety · classification criteria: flesh color.
Other than the commonality of yellow flesh, compare seed, size, and rind characteristics by variety.
Orange Flesh Watermelon
Orange-Fleshed Watermelon
Watermelon flesh comes in not only red but also varieties with orange-colored flesh, allowing types to be classified based on flesh color.
This type has flesh in shades of orange, different from red.
The description of ‘Orange-Fleshed Watermelon’ can be directly compared with the linked original RDA Nongsaro text.
Reference criteria in the original text include flesh color: orange · variety/type classification: orange flesh variety type · seed characteristics: varies by variety · size type: varies by variety · classification criteria: flesh color.
Since orange flesh is one color type, please verify the specific registered varieties separately.
Round Watermelon
Watermelons can be divided into round and elongated shapes based on their fruit shape, with round being one type of physical classification.
This type is based on fruit that is similar in length and width, having a rounded shape.
The RDA's Nongsaro document on ‘Round Watermelon’ distinguishes between commonly known expressions and official descriptions.
Key information for this item includes flesh color: varies by variety · variety/type classification: not an individual variety name but a shape type · seed characteristics: varies by variety · size type: ranging from small to large · classification criteria: fruit shape.
Do not assume seed or flesh color based solely on the round shape; check other classification information as well.
Elongated Cylindrical Watermelon
Elongated Oval Watermelon
Elongated oval or long-shaped watermelons are fruit shape types distinguished from round watermelons, with rind color, flesh color, and seed characteristics varying by variety.
This type is based on fruit that is longer than round watermelons.
Additional information regarding ‘Elongated Oval Watermelon’ can be found in the official RDA Nongsaro materials.
Applicable information includes flesh color: varies by variety · variety/type classification: not an individual variety name but a shape type · seed characteristics: varies by variety · size type: varies by variety · classification criteria: fruit shape.
The elongated shape is based on form and does not automatically imply specific variety names, seeds, or flesh colors.
The diversity of watermelons is more of a combination created by overlapping characteristics rather than eight completely distinct varieties lined up in a row. Seedless watermelons are identified based on seed formation methods, apple watermelons refer to their small size, and black-skinned watermelons denote rind color, while yellow and orange-fleshed watermelons are categorized based on their flesh color. A watermelon can be small, black-skinned, and have yellow flesh all at once.
Therefore, before accepting the sales name as the official variety name, check which criteria it emphasizes.
There is a misconception that seedless watermelons are genetically modified organisms, but the widely explained method in Korea involves breeding triploid watermelons from diploid and tetraploid parent plants. The characteristic of having very few seeds does not automatically determine size or flesh color. While apple watermelons are characterized by their small size and thin rind, you cannot assume that all products will have the same seed count and sweetness or storage capabilities.
When comparing the eight items, first review the classification criteria and then record the flesh color, seeds, size, and shape separately. By separating and examining various characteristics, you will find it easier to distinguish exaggerated expressions from actual variety traits when encountering new product names.
이 포스팅은 쿠팡 파트너스 활동의 일환으로, 이에 따른 일정액의 수수료를 제공받습니다.
댓글 0
로그인 후 댓글을 작성할 수 있습니다.
첫 댓글을 남겨보세요.
이런 리스트는 어때요?
이런 리스트도 추천해요
여기서 멈추기엔 아쉽잖아?
다음에 뭘 볼지 고민하는 시간이 제일 아까워.
주사위가 대신 골라줄게 — 무슨 리스트가 튀어나올지는 굴려봐야 알지.
안 누르면… 평생 궁금하지 않겠어? 👀
