When is the latest ripening season for Hami melon?

The Hami melon is a variety of muskmelon. According to historical records, during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, the King of Hami presented muskmelons as tribute to the imperial court, and from this it got its name and became the general term for Xinjiang muskmelons. According to different ripening periods, they are divided into early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties. The early- and mid-ripening ones are called summer melons, and the late-ripening ones are called winter melons. Now let us take a look together at what season the Hami melon ripens!

What season do Hami melons ripen in?

In a natural environment, the normal ripening season for Hami melons is July to September, but through modern cultivation techniques that control the growth cycle of Hami melons, they can come onto the market as early as around May and can ripen as late as after October. At the same time, Hami melons are divided by ripening period into early-ripening melons, summer melons (mid-ripening), winter melons (late-ripening) and other variety groups. Different varieties of melon also differ in shape, color and skin pattern. Common ones include Red Heart Crisp, Black Eyebrow Mijigan, Fort Red, Iron Skin, Green Hemp Skin, Netted Fragrant Pear, Hami Jiageda, Small Green Skin, White Skin and so on.

Where are Hami melons produced?

Hami melons are mainly produced in Xinjiang. Except for a few high-cold zones, most areas of Xinjiang produce Hami melons. High-quality Hami melons are produced in Shixian in southern Xinjiang, the Hami and Turpan basins, and the Shihezi area is also quite good. Those produced in Hami are the most famous, hence the name Hami melon. People think it was first produced in Hami, but in fact the hometown of the Hami melon is not Hami, but Shanshan in the area of the Flaming Mountains.

How should Hami melons be selected?

1. Place of origin: The place of origin of a Hami melon directly affects the quality and taste of the melon. Be sure to choose Hami melons produced in Xinjiang, especially those from Shanshan County and Hami City. Melons from other areas such as Kashgar and Jiashi are also very good.

2. Melon skin: The rind of a Hami melon is striped. When selecting, mainly check whether there are any insect holes, cracks, and so on. The more lines and the uglier it looks, the tastier it is, while those with good appearance, pretty and without scars are often unripe.

3. Color: Hami melons can be bright yellow or dark yellow. Those with a deeper color feel as though they have had more sunlight and will be sweeter. You can choose dark yellow ones, because relatively speaking they are a little sweeter than light-colored ones.

4. Fruit stem: When a netted Hami melon is ripe, the fruit stem at the rear end of the melon is slightly sunken, smooth, and densely covered with netting. When a Hami melon without netting or with half netting is ripe, the fruit stem at the rear end becomes bright in color, with obvious mottling, all down shed, a tough surface, and a smooth feel.

5. Fragrance: A melon with moderate ripeness gives off a rich fragrance from outside the rind. Those with no fragrance or a faint fragrance are less ripe. You can choose a less ripe one as needed, and after taking it home and putting it in the refrigerator for one or two days, once ripe, its aroma will be rich.

6. Hardness: When selecting a Hami melon, you can feel it with your hand and press the melon body. A melon with good ripeness is firm yet slightly soft. One that is too hard is unripe, while one that is too soft is overripe.

7. Weight: If a Hami melon is too heavy, it is very likely unripe, and if it is too light, it lacks moisture. When selecting, you can weigh it in your hand. A slightly heavier Hami melon is generally very sweet.

8. Tail end: If you want to know whether a Hami melon is fresh, you only need to look at the tail end of the Hami melon, the side with the vine. If the vine is still green, then it was picked not long ago. If the color is too green, there is a relatively high chance it is unripe.

9. Shape: Hami melons come in many shapes. Common ones include long ones and very round ones. Generally speaking, long ones are more juicy, while round ones are sweeter.