Weixian Sanbai Watermelon

Weixian Sanbai Watermelon

Weixian Sanbai Watermelon is a product with geographical indication.

　　The large white watermelon — white rind, white flesh, white seeds. It’s sandy, sweet, and has a long shelf life. It’s big in size and makes for a great summertime treat.

　　Weixian has a long history of growing watermelons. According to the county annals of Weixian, watermelons originally came from the Western Regions. When the Han Dynasty's envoy Zhang Qian traveled westward and opened up the Silk Road, he brought back watermelon seeds. Not long after, these seeds reached Weixian, where farmers began cultivating them widely. Over the centuries, local growers have accumulated extremely rich experience in watermelon farming, resulting in produce that surpasses those from other regions in both shape and quality.

　　During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Weixian watermelons were designated as tribute products. Today, they enter the Great Hall of the People with their unique advantages and grace the tables of state banquets. Weixian watermelons are known for being large, round, thin-skinned, brightly colored, and come in more than ten excellent varieties, such as Sanbai, Hualihu, Mazipi, and Shiba Tian. The flesh also varies in color, including white, yellow, pink, and red. All types of flesh are flavorful, refreshing, crumbly, with few seeds and high sugar content. As a result, Weixian watermelons have long been regarded as premium among all varieties, especially the Sanbai type. Weixian watermelons also offer medicinal benefits such as soothing sore throats, stimulating saliva production, clearing the lungs, and moistening the intestines. They are particularly effective for people suffering from hypertension, heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, dysentery, children’s loss of appetite, and diarrhea. According to the National Food Quality Inspection Center, Weixian watermelons not only possess the common qualities of juiciness, large size, and long storage life, but are also uniquely rich in 18 elements, high in selenium, low in sugar, and abundant in amino acids. They offer anti-cancer and anti-aging properties that typical watermelons do not, leading experts to call them rare health and medicinal treasures.

　　Geographic Scope

　　1. Old Shahe Riverside Planting Area: between 115°32′00″ to 115°50′00″ east longitude and 36°87′00″ to 37°09′00″ north latitude, covering four townships — Dishiying, Fangjiaying, Guxian, and Changtun — with 135 administrative villages. 2. West Shahe Riverside Planting Area: between 115°21′00″ to 115°38′00″ east longitude and 36°86′00″ to 37°24′00″ north latitude, covering four towns — Gaogongzhuang, Zhangying, Heying, and Mingzhou — with 137 administrative villages. The protected area for Weixian Sanbai Watermelon totals 482,805 mu, with an annual planting scale that can be maintained at 20,000 mu and an annual output of 50,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Weixian Sanbai Watermelon has white skin, white flesh, and white seeds. Its appearance is white with an oval shape. The rind is thick, making it durable for transport and long-term storage. The flesh is refreshing, juicy, and carries a faint scent of rose and honey. A single fruit typically weighs between 7–10 kilograms. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: (Comparison of internal quality between Weixian Sanbai Watermelon and ordinary watermelons is omitted.) 3. Safety Requirements: Product quality safety follows the standards set out in "NY5109-2005 Pollution-Free Melon and Fruit." The production process adheres to the "Weixian Pollution-Free Sanbai Watermelon Production Technical Operating Procedures" for cultivation and management.