Where do Hami melons come from? A detailed guide to the main production areas

Hami melon, also known as snow melon, tribute melon, and so on, is one of the melon varieties. Because the ones produced in Hami are the most famous, it is called Hami melon. Because it tastes sweet, it also belongs to the category of honeydew melons. Hami melon is often misspelled as “Hami melon” (with a different character). Its main production area in China is **, and it is now widely cultivated in temperate to tropical regions around the world.

The distribution of Hami melon production areas

Hami melon is widely cultivated throughout China, and because the ones produced in Hami are the most famous, it is called Hami melon. **Except for a few alpine zones, Hami melons are produced in most areas. High-quality Hami melons are produced in Shixian County in southern Xinjiang, Hami, and the Turpan Basin, and the Shihezi area is also quite good.

The environmental requirements of Hami melon production areas

Hami melon has high environmental requirements. It needs many natural conditions such as high summer temperatures, dry air, scarce rainfall, and long sunshine hours. It likes abundant sunlight and a large temperature difference between day and night. During the day, it can fully carry out photosynthesis, while at night respiration consumption is lower, which is conducive to nutrient accumulation. It is mainly produced in **Hami, Turpan, Shanshan, and other places with low rainfall and a large temperature difference between day and night.

The origin of the name Hami melon

Hami melon was called sweet melon, muskmelon, and so on in ancient times, and in Uyghur it is called “Kuhong.” The origin of the name Hami melon is also said to be related to tribute offerings. It is said that when the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty tasted this sweet melon, he asked what this melon was called. The attendant only knew that it had been presented by the Prince of Hami, so he replied that it was Hami melon. From then on, the name Hami melon spread quickly.

Although this legend about Hami melon may not be true, there is documentary evidence that the name Hami melon began in the Kangxi period. The Qing “** Hui Division Record” says: “From the beginning of Kangxi, when Hami submitted, this melon first entered as tribute, and it was called Hami melon.” There is also another saying that **sweet melons were mostly shipped inland from Hami, so people customarily called them Hami melons.