Watermelons are known for their sweet, juicy flesh. But did you know that their leaves can also be eaten?
The leaves of watermelon plants are edible, but they have a bitter taste. It can be eaten raw or cooked. Watermelon leaves contain plenty of nutrition that you can benefit from.
Here’s everything you need to know about the watermelon leaves and what you can do with them.
Are Watermelon Leaves Safe To Eat?
Watermelon leaves are safe to eat, but they do not taste very good. The leaves have a bitter flavor that is only slightly less strong than the fruit’s flavor.
Watermelon leaves are edible raw or cooked but should be boiled for at least five minutes before eating them raw because they contain compounds that can cause nausea and vomiting if eaten raw. Cooking the watermelon leaves will remove these compounds from the leaf tissue and make them safe to eat.
In addition to being edible by themselves, watermelon leaves can be added to other dishes as well. They can be used in salads or cooked with other foods such as rice or beans for extra flavor and nutrients.
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Watermelon Leaves?
Watermelon leaves are edible, but they’re not commonly eaten. And, unfortunately, you can’t find them in any grocery stores. You can only get watermelon leaves if you grow your own watermelon plants.
But, if you have access to fresh watermelons and their leaves, here are some of the benefits of eating them:
Helps With Digestion
Watermelon leaves contain a mild laxative that helps to promote healthy digestion. The best way to use it is by steaming or boiling the leaves for about 10 minutes before consuming them. You can also add the boiled leaves into your soups or teas for extra health benefits.
Relieves Constipation
Since watermelons help with digestion, they also help relieve constipation. If you have trouble pooping on a regular basis and want an all-natural remedy, try eating some boiled watermelon leaf tea! It should start working within a day or two of taking it regularly.
Rich In Antioxidants
Watermelon leaves are rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and prevent cell damage. Free radicals are the main culprits behind many diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals before they can cause any harm to the body.
Help Boost The Immune System
Watermelon leaves contain compounds that help boost the immune system and fight infections caused by bacteria or viruses like colds and flu.
Help Reduce Inflammation In The Body
Watermelon leaves contain flavonoids called quercetin which have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis, rheumatism, or gouty arthritis. Quercetin also helps reduce redness, itching, and irritation caused by sunburns or insect bites too!
What Do Watermelon Leaves Taste Like?
Watermelon leaves have an astringent, bitter taste that can be difficult to describe — like spinach or chard, but more intense. This bitterness makes them unpleasant to eat raw unless you first boil them in liquid to remove this flavor (and any insects).
How Do You Eat Watermelon Leaves?
The easiest way to eat watermelon leaves is cooked as a vegetable side dish. You can add them to soups and stews or boil them into tea. You can also add them fresh from the garden to salads or sandwiches if you’re not planning on cooking them first.
If you’re wondering how to eat watermelon leaves, here are some tips:
– Eat them when they’re young. The younger ones have a better flavor than the older ones.
– Use a sharp knife when cutting them so they don’t get crushed or torn up while you’re eating them. You can also try using scissors if you don’t want to cut them with a knife.
What Can You Use Watermelon Leaves For?
If you are growing your own watermelons and want to know what can you use watermelon leaves for, here are some ideas.
1. Make a refreshing tea by steeping the leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes, then cooling and straining out the solids before drinking. You can sweeten it with honey if desired and drink it hot or cold depending on how hot your house is. It’s great after a meal or when you’re feeling under the weather!
2. Brew them into an all-natural facial mask by adding 1/2 cup of fresh watermelon leaves to 1/2 cup of boiling water, letting steep until cooled down enough to apply (about 20 minutes), then strain out solids before applying directly to the face using a cotton ball or gauze pad (do not rinse off). Leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off.
3. Steep some leaves in vinegar for an all-natural herbicide that will kill weeds without harming your plants.
4. Use them as mulch around your plants to deter snails and slugs.
5. Add them to compost or fertilizer bins to naturally increase the nitrogen content of your soil without adding harsh chemicals or fertilizers that could harm your plants or animals who consume them later on down the road.
6. You can use them as a garnish on salads or other dishes. They look pretty on top of salads and other food items like sandwiches and burgers!
Conclusion
Watermelon leaves are edible and have a mild flavor and crunchy texture. They make a great addition to salads, but don’t overdo it — too much of this leafy green could cause some serious stomach problems.