History records that for 5,000 years people have been eating this vegetable, although most people would consider it a fruit. The largest one ever grown weighed 262 pounds. What is it?

While we treat it as a sweet, juicy fruit perfect for summer picnics, this popular food is technically a vegetable. It belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, making it a close relative of the cucumber, squash, and pumpkin. Its classification as a vegetable is why it often appears in this kind of trivia, despite its common culinary use as a fruit. Botanically, it is also classified as a type of berry known as a pepo, characterized by its hard, thick rind and fleshy interior.

The history of this food stretches back millennia. Archaeologists have found evidence of its cultivation in northeastern Africa dating back at least 5,000 years. Seeds and even artistic depictions of it have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs, including that of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, presumably left to provide nourishment in the afterlife. From Africa, it spread via trade routes to Europe and Asia, eventually being introduced to the Americas in the 16th century.

As for its impressive size, the clue is actually an understatement. While giant specimens have been recorded for years, the current Guinness World Record for the heaviest watermelon is a staggering 350.5 pounds, grown in Tennessee in 2013. That single vegetable could provide a refreshing slice for an entire neighborhood.