Here’s Why Southerners Love to Put Salt on Watermelon

Does salt on watermelon make it even sweeter?

It’s important to stay hydrated during the summer, but that doesn’t mean you can only get your hydration from water. Whether you’re hanging out by the beach, relaxing by the pool or playing a few rounds of soccer, you need to look after yourself. Take breaks, drink water and eat hydrating foods… like watermelon! This popular melon is a summer staple. But have you ever served it with salt?

Southerners love to put salt on watermelon, and while it may sound strange, we’re here to explain why. (And it’s not even the most fun way to eat watermelon.)

Why You Should Put Salt on Watermelon

You’ve probably heard this a million times before, but adding a bit of salt to something sweet will actually make it sweeter. That’s why you’ll often add a pinch of salt to chocolate chip cookies or brownies. Sweet and salty go together extremely well. Think sea salt mocha cookies or mango and Tajin. There’s a reason sweet and salty desserts are so popular!

This is because salt works to cover anything bitter. By taking the bitter taste out of a food, the sweetness will become more apparent. Salt also helps to replenish electrolytes in the body as well, something we often lose through sweat. Not only that, spreading some salt on your watermelon will make it taste juicier—trust me, it works!

What Type of Salt Works Best?

Regular table salt works just fine, but larger flakes work even better. You can cover more surface area with sea salt or Himalayan salt as opposed to table salt. You may also find the flavor intensified with bigger salt flakes.

What Other Fruit Can I Salt?

Since salt works to combat bitterness, it’s best to focus on fruits that have a touch of bitter flavor. Grapefruits are a wonderful example, as well as green apples or even cantaloupe. It’s also a common trend to salt pineapple. Adding a little salt and washing it off can make your mouth not so tingly. It’s science!

Experiment a little and see what works best for you. You never know until you try!

Taste of Home

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