It's hard to believe that watermelon, already bursting with naturally juicy, sweet flavor, could taste even better — but it can. The secret? A squeeze of lemon juice. This flavor hack is a favorite in Southern Italy, where lemon wedges are often served alongside .

The Italians, world-renowned for their passionate approach to food, know that the bright acidity of lemon doesn't just complement watermelon, it also amplifies its flavor, making each bite more lively and refreshing. This is because the lemon's acidity intensifies the natural sweetness and aroma of the watermelon, bringing out its full depth. To create this perfect pairing, we recommend using a citrus squeezer to easily catch all the seeds.

Alternatively, you can squeeze the lemon directly over the fruit, carefully straining out any seeds with your hand. Let the juice drizzle evenly over each piece and then enjoy an invigorating bite. In addition to how well these flavors balance each other, there's another intriguing scientific reason why this combination tastes so irresistibly good.

The scientific reason watermelon tastes better with lemon Lemon juice doesn't just make watermelon sweeter, it actually enhances how you experience the taste through a fascinating scientific process. When you add lemon juice to watermelon, the citric acid kicks your saliva glands into high gear. Though most people think your taste buds do all the work of sensing flavors, saliva plays a huge role in how you taste food.

Here's why: You.