Pinghai Dadeng Bitter Melon

Pinghai Dadeng Bitter Melon

　　Pinghai Dadeng Bitter Melon, named for its large top and pointed tip, is characterized by its emerald green color, glossy sheen, broad ridge, thick flesh, and minimal seed cavity. It has the effect of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, making it an excellent dish for cooling down in summer. Additionally, it can be used medicinally. While it has a bitter taste when eaten, it is crisp and leaves a sweet, cool aftertaste. It is mainly exported to Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asian regions.

　　 Pinghai has a long history of cultivating Dadeng Bitter Melon. As early as the 1950s, Pinghai began growing Dadeng Bitter Melon, making it one of the earliest places in Huidong County and even Huizhou City to do so. Under the guidance of the Huidong County agricultural technology department, Pinghai Town has implemented unified production, sales, and technical guidance for Dadeng Bitter Melon. The town has established production bases and stable contact points in many domestic and international cities such as Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, promoting market internationalization and increasing the visibility of Dadeng Bitter Melon.

　　 The economic benefits of Dadeng Bitter Melon are considerable. There is a local saying that “three baskets of bitter melon equal a thousand yuan.” According to statistics, in 2004, the town cultivated a total of 8,250 mu of Dadeng Bitter Melon, with an average yield of 2,540 kilograms per mu, totaling 21,000 tons produced. The total output value reached 70.64 million yuan, accounting for 30.1% of the town's total agricultural output value. The per capita net income from Dadeng Bitter Melon alone was 2,036 yuan.