Watermelon season is underway and a scan through watermelon news uncovers the following facts: Seedless watermelon is overtaking the traditional variety better suited for seed-spitting contests. Consumers also want smaller sizes, so those large, seeded melons may become relics. Florida, Texas, California, Georgia and Arizona are the leading watermelon growing states. Cordele, Georgia calls itself the Watermelon Capitol of the World. Looking at worldwide statistics, however, China and Turkey surpass the U.S. production.

I spotted “personal sized” watermelons on sale at the market; the price brought them closer to the regular seedless variety (no seeded was available at this market!), so I bought one to try out. The rind is definitely thinner and the flavor is great, but what you’d expect from a good watermelon. It’s not worth the extra price if I can buy a pre-quartered seedless for less (there’s also the advantage of being able to see inside the pre-sliced ones!).