The Taste of Riverside Papaya: Seasonal Flavors of the South Wind

In the warm, year-round climate of southern Taiwan, China, papaya trees are extremely common fruit trees along field edges, wastelands and riverbeds. It seems they need no human care at all; with just sunlight, air and water they bear abundant fruit. Papaya dislikes excess moisture; its roots rot easily and it is prone to disease. In the riparian areas along the Laonong River and Nanzixian River basins, thanks to the climate, rainfall and soil characteristics, the papayas grown there are especially delicious.

Good mountains, good water, good people, good melons

Papaya cultivation can range from tropical lowlands up to areas at an altitude of 1500 m, and it can be cultivated from 32 degrees north latitude to 32 degrees south latitude. The optimal growing temperature is around 22-26 degrees C. Long sunshine hours have little effect on papaya; during the fruiting period it needs even more ample sunlight and low humidity to promote the development of the fruit's flesh. Papaya prefers well-aerated loam or sandy loam, and land that is convenient to irrigate should be chosen for cultivation. Combining the above basic conditions, the climate and environment of Liugui, Shanlin, Meinong and Qishan in Kaohsiung are exactly what fits.

Every December, the Shanlin District Farmers' Association holds the "Melon Festival" in the form of a carnival combined with rural experiences. Papaya, pumpkin, cucumber, loofah and bitter melon are all the stars. Director Ye Rongji of the Shanlin District Farmers' Association's Extension Section said: "In Shanlin, the mountain wind blows all the way down, the temperature difference between day and night is large, the living water flowing in from the Nanzixian River brings in minerals, the soil's iron content is high, and with the barrier of Yueguang Mountain, the winter climate is mild. Compared with central and northern Taiwan, where the weather turns cool and is unsuitable for growing gourds, Shanlin is most suited to planting gourds and fruits in winter, and gourds can be harvested in all four seasons."

Liugui's main papaya production area is concentrated in the Xinwei area. Xinwei is located on the tableland on the west bank of the Laonong River and was originally part of the Laonong River's old riverbed, but the sandy loam deposited over many years is fertile and also has good drainage when the rainy season arrives, which is beneficial to papaya growth. The mountainous area of Kaohsiung has good mountains, good water and good people, and when the time and place are right, good melons come to market.