Hemutun Watermelon

Hemutun Watermelon

Hemutun Watermelon is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　   The production area is located in Hemutun Village, Jiaobei Town, Jiaozhou City. The village has over two hundred years of watermelon cultivation history. The planting soil is mainly sandy ginger black soil, rich in trace elements, yielding watermelons known for their high sugar content, juiciness, sandy flesh, and thin rinds. In 2004, the Hemutun Village Watermelon Association of Jiaobei Town, Jiaozhou City was established, in 2006 the “Hemu” trademark was registered, and in 2009 the Qingdao Jiaozhou Hemutun Watermelon Professional Cooperative was founded. Products are strictly cultivated and produced in accordance with the "Jiaozhou City Pollution-Free Watermelon Technical Operation Procedures," meeting pollution-free quality standards. Currently, the total watermelon planting area in the town has reached 10,000 mu, with products sold to major cities such as Shanghai, Fujian, and Beijing.

　　   Geographical Scope

　　   The production area of Hemutun Watermelon is located in the northwest of Jiaozhou City, starting from Yuánjiālǐng Village in the north, reaching Běitái Village in the south, extending from Lóuzǐ Village in the west to Qiúliánzhuāng Village in the east. The geographical indication protection area of Hemutun Watermelon includes 21 administrative villages such as Hemutun, Xīxiǎotún, Xiāojiātún, and Diāojiātún. The geographical coordinates are between 119°89′00″ to 119°96′00″ east longitude and 36°31′00″ to 36°37′00″ north latitude. The watermelon planting area covers 30,000 mu, with an annual output of 120,000 tons.

　　   Product Quality Characteristics

　　   1. External Sensory Characteristics: The unique microclimate and superior geographical conditions of the Hemutun Watermelon production area give the watermelons their distinctive qualities: moderate size (single fruit weight 3–5 kg), spherical shape, deep green color with clear stripes, thin rind, sandy flesh, juicy, and high sweetness. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Hemutun Watermelon products have vitamin C content ≥6.0 mg/100g, total acid content of 0.1%–0.3%, soluble solids content ≥10.0%, calcium content ≥10.0 mg/100g, and potassium content ≥100.0 mg/100g. 3. Safety Requirements: Commercial watermelons must meet the hygiene standards of the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Pollution-Free Food Watermelon” (NY5109-2005).