Cui Zhai Muskmelon

Cui Zhai Muskmelon

Cui Zhai Muskmelon is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　　　Cui Zhai Town is a typical specialized town for melon and vegetable production, with an 18-year history in growing these crops. In 2001, the town developed 3,000 mu of muskmelons, and the "Lüyang" brand muskmelon has become a well-known product, recognized by the Provincial Department of Agriculture as a "Shandong Province Pollution-Free Agricultural Product."

　　Cui Zhai muskmelon is a specialty of Jinan, Shandong. When ripe, it is approximately spherical in shape, weighing 1–1.5 kilograms per fruit, with a golden-yellow rind and no cracks. When cut open, it emits a rich fragrance. Cui Zhai muskmelon is rich in selenium, has high sugar content, stores well, and boasts an excellent taste. The melon contains large amounts of various sugars needed by the human body, with a refractometric sugar content of over 12%. Per 100 grams, Cui Zhai muskmelon contains 12.6 grams of sugars, 27.5 kcal of energy, 0.5 grams of dietary fiber, 0.5 grams of protein, 0.10 grams of fat, and 6.8 grams of carbohydrates. Its levels of aromatic substances, minerals, sugars, and vitamin C are significantly higher than those of watermelon. Regular consumption of Cui Zhai muskmelon may help prevent cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the flesh of the muskmelon is sweet, cold, and smooth in nature, with effects such as quenching thirst, relieving irritability and heat, promoting urination, and treating mouth and nose sores. These qualities are closely related to the region’s unique water quality and soil. The area lies east of the Yellow River, and irrigation mainly relies on groundwater (derived from Yellow River seepage), with a pH of 7.88. The soil is primarily cinnamon soil, with little wet soil, and pH tests show it is slightly alkaline. The soil layer is relatively thick, loose, and high in organic matter content, making it especially suitable for large-scale crop production. In 2003, Cui Zhai muskmelon was rated as a "Shandong Province Pollution-Free Product."

　　Muskmelon belongs to the thick-skinned sub-species of the melon species within the Cucurbitaceae family's Cucumis genus. It originated in West and Central Asia, including regions such as Turkey, Turkmenistan, the South Caucasus, Iran, Asia Minor, and Arabia. In recent years, drawing on traditional cultivation experience, we have successfully adopted protected cultivation methods using plastic greenhouses and solar greenhouses. We collectively refer to this category of thick-skinned melons as "foreign muskmelons," or simply "muskmelons." The term "foreign" indicates their non-native origin, while "fragrant" highlights a key characteristic of the fruit. Thus, the name "foreign muskmelon" is fitting. Muskmelons are beloved worldwide for their sweet and delicious flavor. Compared to the thin-skinned sub-species of muskmelon originally from China, they are more resistant to transport and storage. With their richly fragrant flesh and aromatic scent, they are hailed as the "queen of fruits."