Yellow Watermelon vs Red Watermelon: What’s the Difference?

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Shaleena Quinlan

Shaleena grew up working the garden with her grandmother. These are some of her favorite childhood memories. She credits the long line of midwestern farmers that passed the knowledge down to her grandmother and then her and her inherent green thumb for her talent with growing plants. Her talent for training plants has followed her to various places, including Papa New Guinea's tropics. She's learned various techniques for all types of growing zones and is excited to help you build the best garden for your home!

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Many of my favorite summertime memories revolve around a watermelon. One particular summer day was spent munching on a watermelon with my ten-year-old nephew. We finished it that day. So, it did not come as a surprise to hear that he recently purchased a $35.00 watermelon while stationed in Japan. 

That is a committed fondness I can understand. I imagine you understand it too, and that is why you are taking the time to read about yellow vs. red watermelon. I want to make your read worth it, so I plan to walk you through the world of watermelon, specifically the yellow and red varieties. We’re going to discuss the obvious and the not-so-obvious differences between these two types.

Of course, we’ll also discover how similar they are as well. I have my opinions about which is better, and while I plan to share those with you, I hope to leave the discussion open for debate. So, without further ado, let’s compare and contrast yellow and red watermelons.

Bottom Line Up Front

These two types of watermelon have a lot in common. For instance, they have similar textures, flavors, outer skin, and care requirements. If you have experience growing one type of watermelon, you can grow the other because they don’t need anything different. Really, it is only when you cut them open that you’ll see a difference.

My personal opinion is that most red watermelon varieties are better than yellow watermelon varieties. Here are the reasons I give to back up my opinion:

• Red watermelon is juicy and sweet, but not too sweet. I don’t like the sickly sweet taste of some yellow watermelon varieties.
• Red watermelon is easier to find at grocery stores and farmer’s markets.
• Red watermelon doesn’t cost as much as a yellow watermelon, at least where I live.
• Red watermelon contains lycopene, which is a natural compound that may fend off cancer cells.

While I do prefer the taste of red watermelon over yellow watermelon, I will admit that the uniqueness of yellow watermelon makes them more attractive. Remember, this is just my personal opinion. You can end this debate with completely different conclusions, and that’s okay.

Main Differences Between Yellow Watermelon vs Red Watermelon

The main differences between yellow watermelon vs red watermelon are:

• Red watermelon contains lycopene, whereas yellow watermelon does not.
• Red watermelon is more likely, due to its quantity of lycopene, to cause intestinal distress, whereas yellow watermelon, with its lack of lycopene, is not.
• Yellow watermelon has a slightly sweeter, honey-flavored taste.
• Yellow watermelon contains more beta-carotene.
• Yellow watermelon was cultivated first, whereas red watermelon was cultivated from yellow watermelon.
• Yellow watermelon is commonly found in desert regions, whereas red watermelon is found in a variety of climates.

Key Features of Yellow Watermelon

If you purchase yellow watermelons, you’ll soon discover that their key features are very similar to the common red watermelon. They are available in seeded and seedless varieties. They are sweet and juicy when eaten. They have a thick green rind that can be pickled, stirfried, or thrown into a smoothie.  

Where yellow watermelon differs from its red cousin is in coloring and nutrition. Obviously, yellow watermelons are yellow, which hints at their nutritional value.

Instead of containing lycopene, which is the reason why watermelons and tomatoes are red in color, yellow watermelons contain beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is the reason why carrots and sweet potatoes are a yellow-orange color.

Pros

• Yellow watermelons are full of beta-carotene, which is beneficial to heart health
• Yellow watermelons are available with or without seeds
• Yellow watermelons have a sweet, honey-flavored taste
• Yellow watermelons are juicy
• Yellow watermelons grow well in desert-like conditions
• Yellow watermelons contain approximately 46 calories per cup
• Yellow watermelons avert dehydration
• Yellow watermelons may be a healthier option for diabetics (always check with your doctor first)

Cons

• Yellow watermelons may be difficult to find at a local grocery store
• Yellow watermelons are rare, so they may be pricier

Featured Yellow Watermelon Varieties

Yellow Buttercup

This is a variety that I really enjoy. Its texture is crisp and juicy, while its flavor is sweet. As an added bonus, this is a seedless variety. Growing a Yellow Buttercup watermelon is not difficult, and I think it is worth the effort.

Yellow Doll

At only 5 to 7 pounds tops, Yellow Doll is an adorable summer snack. While I do think these taste good, I’m not a huge fan of the many seeds this variety contains. But, that is no reason you should avoid them.

Desert King

What I love about this variety is its ability to withstand drought while growing. This means I don’t have to baby them so much. Now, when it comes to eating them, I don’t have much love for them.

They are sweet and juicy, but the texture and the seeds are not appealing to me. Just my personal opinion, though. I say decide for yourself.

Key Features of Red Watermelon

This may be one of the most common fruits purchased. But commonality does not equal familiarity. Many of us purchase and consume red watermelon without ever considering its key features. Perhaps we should take a few moments to contemplate what we eat and why we eat it. Then, we may build better eating habits.

Once I did take a moment to observe the features of red watermelon, I realized that many of them are why I love this fruit so much. These key features include:

• A thick rind that always contains green but may sometimes be striped white
• An edible rind
• Seeded and seedless varieties
• Sweet and juicy red flesh
• Cancer-fighting lycopene

Pros

• Red watermelons are easy to grow in most climates
• Red watermelons are packed with nutrition (vitamins A, B, & C along with lycopene)
• Red watermelons are sweet and juicy (different varieties have different levels of sweetness)
• Red watermelons flavor can be enhanced with a little salt
• Red watermelons are available in seedless and seeded varieties
• Red watermelons are commonly found at any grocery store
• Red watermelons may be less expensive since they are a common summer fruit
• Red watermelons avert dehydration
• Red watermelons may help with skin issues, muscle soreness, metabolism, and digestion

Cons

• Red watermelons may not be healthful for diabetics
• Red watermelons can cause allergic reactions such as hives
• Red watermelons can cause intestinal distress when consumed in large quantities

Featured Red Watermelon Varieties

Moon and Stars

Have to be honest about this variety – it is on my “to try” list. There’s been no opportunity for me to purchase or grow one of these yet. One reason why I want to try this variety is so I can gaze at the uniquely beautiful skin that looks a little like a speckled starry sky.

Another reason is so I can taste this fruit that won a spot on the Slow Foods Ark of Taste. It must be good.

Sugar Baby

This is a popular variety because it so compact in size and sweet in taste. While it certainly isn’t my favorite variety, I think it is one that I enjoy splurging on every so often.

Crimson

With one of these watermelons on hand, I can feed a house full of hungry people or myself and my nephew. Averaging 25 lbs. means this variety gets huge. Not only do I love that I can share a slice or two of this watermelon, but I can rest assured that it’s going to taste amazing. Its texture is just as a watermelon should be – crisp, crunchy, juicy, and sweet.

Alternatives to Consider

I know you’re going to be excited to discover that there are other types of watermelon besides red and yellow. Who knew there were so many lovely colors available? Get your forks and knives ready because I would like to introduce you to black and white watermelons now.  

Black Watermelons

Okay, so this type of watermelon doesn’t actually have black flesh; it is the rind that is black, or almost black. The inside is bright red, juicy, and delicious. These are not a rare type of watermelon, so you may be able to find them at your local grocery store or farmer’s market without much trouble. Black Diamond is the most common type of black watermelon.

Pros

• Black watermelons are easy to grow in most climates
• Black watermelons are packed with nutrition (vitamins A, B, & C along with lycopene)
• Black watermelons avert dehydration
• Black watermelons are not too rare
• Black watermelons are juicy and sweet

Cons

• Black watermelons may not be healthful for diabetics
• Black watermelons can cause allergic reactions such as hives
• Black watermelons can cause intestinal distress when consumed in large quantities

White Watermelons

These varieties do contain white flesh while maintaining a typical green rind. On the outside, a white watermelon will look just like a red or a yellow watermelon; it is only when it has been sliced open that you can see the difference.

Just like yellow watermelon, the reason for the white flesh is that these varieties lack lycopene. Nevertheless, you’ll find that they taste like watermelon even if they don’t look like watermelon. Some of the most common varieties of white watermelon are Cream of Saskatchewan, Japanese Cream Fleshed Suika, and White Wonder.

Pros

• White watermelons are easy to grow in most climates
• White watermelons avert dehydration
• White watermelons are juicy and sweet; in fact, most varieties rank very high on the Brix scale

Cons

• White watermelons may not be easy to find at grocery stores
• White watermelons may cost more than red watermelons

FAQs

In Conclusion

In my opinion, all watermelon is wonderful and delicious. There are just a few reasons why I slightly prefer red watermelon varieties over the yellow watermelon varieties. This, of course, doesn’t mean I won’t devour a plate of yellow watermelon given the chance. It just means I might eat the red watermelon first.

I hope this article has helped you understand the world of watermelon a little better. Now, you have the knowledge and, hopefully, the inspiration to go try new varieties. Here’s to many years of fruitful gardening and happy eating.

If you’re interested in growing the best watermelon ever, you may want to read our other articles on this heavenly fruit. I highly recommend that you browse the following:

• Types and Varieties of Watermelon You Should Know Of
• Best Watermelon Companion Plants
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden: All You Need to Know

Research Citations:

• Hill Street Grocer
• Mashed
• What About Watermelon
• Organic Facts
• Medical News Today