Why Japan Grows Square Watermelons That You Can’t Eat
eye-catching: something that attracts attention because it looks unusual or interesting
Imagine you’re a watermelon, happily growing round and plump just the way nature intended. And then, one day, a Japanese farmer forces you into a glass prison and squeezes you into a square.
The history of growing eye-catching cube-shaped watermelons started in the 1970’s. The process is quite simple. When the watermelon is still small, and on the vine, farmers place it inside a square glass box. As it grows, the watermelon fills the shape of the box and becomes square. The glass is transparent, so sunlight can still reach the fruit and help it grow on all sides.
But why make watermelons square? Surprisingly, these fruits are meant for display and not for eating. They are harvested before they ripen, which makes them bitter. This allows them to last much longer.
Learn more about the history of square watermelons in the video below.
Sample sentences
The artist’s painting was so eye-catching that everyone stopped to look at it.
Sarah wore an eye-catching red dress that made her stand out at the party.
The new building in the city is eye-catching with its unique glass walls and tall shape.