Forth Rail Bridge,  April 2016

The handsome Forth Bridge looks bright and stunning in sunlight; rather more hazy and atmospheric on a wet and windy one.  In the shot above, it is a perfect match for a Crayola watermelon colour – not a descriptive term that sprang automatically to mind.

Hex colour reference:  #fc6c85

A colourful note:  wild watermelon was one of the 1990 fluorescent name changes.  The “ultra” fluorescent colours had appeared in 1972 but in 1990 it was time for new names and a few new fluorescent friends, with Ultra Red becoming Wild Watermelon.

The refreshing watermelon fruit has strong-coloured flesh, just asking to become a colour name.  The red chemical (lycopene) that gives the colouring is the same as tomatoes, but in a higher quantity.  This large, popular fruit is believed to hold a number of health qualities including claims to be a natural viagra.  It has also been a challenge to chemists, as its aroma has been extremely difficult to identify and replicate.

But the best watermelon gem is a story of fruity explosions.  In 2011, farmers in Eastern China were faced with the spontaneous non-organic explosions of acres of watermelons . This noisy, soggy event lasted a few days and was eventually put down to the misuse of a growth promoting chemical, forchlorfenuron.  This food additive is approved for use on kiwi fruits, grapes and raisins in the US, New Zealand and a number of other countries.  Of course, it is not being added for consumer health reasons, but for producer profit.  It is considered to be harmless to us but the greater growth can mean a lower ratio of goodness. However, its over use in China certainly makes wild a good label for watermelon.

Copyright Debbie Smyth, 25 April 2016

Part of Outdoor Wednesday