Spanish Word of the Day: Sandía (watermelon)

Sandías are one of the most beloved fruits enjoyed worldwide. Their sweet taste and juicy texture make them the perfect summertime treat. The word sandía has its origins in the Arabic term sindiyānah, which derives from the Classical Persian hindyāna, meaning watermelon.

Sandía is a feminine noun that takes the following definite and indefinite articles. 

• la sandía = the watermelon
• las sandías = the watermelons
• una sandía = a watermelon
• unas sandías = some watermelons

It’s believed that sandías originated in Africa and were cultivated in ancient Egypt. Eventually, they spread throughout the Mediterranean, and Europeans introduced them to the Americas, where they became a popular fruit in many Spanish-speaking countries.

Sandías are cultivated on farms and grow on vines that spread across the ground. They need sun, warm soil, and plenty of space to sprawl. When they brotan (sprout) from the semilla (seed), they turn into vines that grow flowers. Once the flowers bloom, tiny watermelons start to grow. And they grow quite big! When they are ready, they are cosechadas (harvested) by farmers. 

These delicious fruits are popular for their dulce (sweet) and jugoso (juicy) taste. They are also quite refreshing because they contain 92% water content, perfect for eating on hot summer days. Sandía is often enjoyed as a tasty drink by blending watermelon chunks. Another way to eat them is to cut them fresh into slices, or to dice them up into cubes so that they can be added to ensaladas (salads) or postres (desserts).

Fun Fact:

In Mexico, sandías are a popular fruit cup snack. The fruit is cut into slices and put in a cup along with other fruit. They are then bathed in chamoy (a sweet chili sauce) and/or chili powder for a spicy taste. If you visit Mexico, don’t forget to try this refreshing snack!

Nutritionally, sandías are rich in vitamins A, C, and B6 and contain many antioxidantes (antioxidants). Because of their high water content, they are also low in calories. 

Various types of sandías are cultivated and each offers a unique flavor. They come in different tamaños (sizes) and colored pulpa (flesh). The most popular ones are large and have a thick green outer rind or outer skin. Inside, they are filled with sweet red flesh and black seeds. Others have pink ot yellow flesh. You can find watermelons that have semillas (seeds) and others that are sin semillas (seedless). 

Fun Fact:

Have you ever wondered if watermelon semillas (seeds) are edible? The answer is yes, they are. Some cultures roast watermelon seeds and eat them as a crunchy snack. 

Another fun fact is that some types of watermelons have semillas blancas (white seeds) instead of semillas negras (black seeds).

Below are a few different types of sandías.  Although the translated name is written below, they are more commonly known by their English name. 

• sandía dulce carmesí = crimson sweet watermelon: This is one of the most popular types, known for its deep red flesh, sweetness, and relatively small seeds.
• sandía bebé de azúcar = sugar baby watermelon: This is a very sweet, and smaller-sized watermelon with dark green skin and red flesh.
• sandía carmesí amarilla = yellow crimson watermelon: This type of watermelon has a dark green striped rind and a sweet yellow flesh.
• sandía muñeca amarilla = yellow doll watermelon: This watermelon has a yellow rind and a sweet yellow flesh. It’s also known as ‘buttercup yellow watermelon.’
• sandía naranja glo = orangeglo watermelon: This watermelon stands out with its bright orange flesh and sweet taste. 
• sandía luna y estrellas = moon and stars watermelon: These watermelons have a distinctive pattern of yellow spots (stars) and larger spots (moon) on their rind. They are sweet and have red flesh.

In some parts of Mexico and Central America, you might hear patilla, particularly in countries like Venezuela. In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, melón de agua or aguamelón is sometimes used. These regional variations reflect the rich diversity of the Spanish language across different countries.

Spanish idioms featuring ‘sandía’