Guanyang Red Melon Seeds

Guanyang Red Melon Seeds

　　Red melon seeds are the kernels of xizi melons. Xizi melons have been cultivated in the county for a long time, primarily in the towns of Wenshi and Shuiche, with Wenshi producing the most.

　　The red melon seeds produced in the county are bright red and glossy, large and plump, with thin shells and thick, fragrant, and tasty kernels that are easy to peel. They are highly favored—not only as an essential treat for festivals, banquets, weddings, and other celebratory occasions, but also as a great everyday snack for guests and the best topping for premium pastries.

　　Before 1977, due to insufficient attention to red melon seed production, the planting area was limited, generally ranging between 200 and 500 acres per year. In 1978, regions such as Wenshi began learning from advanced practices elsewhere, intercropping xizi melons with wheat or fava beans. This expanded the planting area, and the introduction of new varieties led to significant increases in both cultivation area and yield. By 1990, the county had planted 7,472 acres of xizi melons, yielding a total of 317,500 kilograms of red melon seeds.

　　Red melon seeds have long been one of the export products purchased by the county’s foreign trade and supply departments. Between 1981 and 1990, the county’s foreign trade department alone purchased and exported 162,800 kilograms of red melon seeds, averaging 16,300 kilograms per year.