Penghu Gourd New Variety Release and Tasting Event Kicks Off

The Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station (hereinafter referred to as the Kaohsiung Station) of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, is pleased to announce that on May 30 of this year (2013), Thursday, at 10 a.m., in the conference room of the Penghu Branch Station, it will grandly hold the "Chi Island Melon Feast" new variety launch and tasting event. The event will showcase the abundant achievements of the Penghu Branch Station of the Kaohsiung Station in its years of dedication to the variety improvement of cucurbit crops.

In addition to introducing new varieties of pumpkin and ridged luffa (angled gourd) on site, this launch event will also use their high-quality fruits as the main ingredients, with experts designing distinctive gourmet recipes, prepared under the direction of the head chef of Penghu's "Chaoxilu" traditional-flavor restaurant. Through the tasting event, it will be recommended to the seed industry, the food and beverage industry, farmers, and the general public, in the hope of promoting the high-quality cucurbit varieties bred in Penghu and cucurbit-based dishes with a Chi Island flavor.

New Pumpkin Varieties Unveiled - "Chi Island Honey" and "Chi Island Spring"

Kaohsiung Station

New Ridged Luffa Variety - Penghu No. 1 "Ai Ling"

In terms of ridged luffa, the shortcomings of local varieties, such as late maturity and low yield, have been improved, and the ridged luffa "Penghu No. 1 - Ai Ling" has been bred with a sweet, crisp texture and excellent taste, surpassing the quality of Penghu's local varieties. At present, there are still 3 new F1 hybrid lines with different fruit lengths, attractive fruit shapes and high yields, which are expected to be named this year. These new varieties (lines) will make their public debut at the "Chi Island Melon Feast" and will be prepared into flavorful dishes for guests from all sectors to evaluate.

Penghu Branch Station, Kaohsiung District Agricultural Research and Extension Station

Address: No. 150, Magong City, Penghu County 88052 Phone: 06 921 2645