Dianjiang Pickled Melon (Golden Sauce Melon)

Dianjiang Pickled Melon (Golden Sauce Melon)

　　Origin: Dianjiang, Chongqing, China. Production Process: Made from locally sourced high-quality melons and homemade wheat sauce. The melons are first pricked and pickled in a lime-salt brine to form the melon base. The melon base, koji yellow, and refined salt are then layered in batches into fermentation vats. The vats are turned daily and the melons are smoothed to develop a date-like surface pattern. By this time, the koji yellow has also gelatinized. Through sun exposure and dew at night, along with ambient temperature fermentation, the koji enzymes break down; the melon body loses moisture and brine, while absorbing the sauce, allowing flavors to interpenetrate. The melon contracts from moisture loss but expands as it absorbs the sauce. After about two months, when the melon and sauce have matured together, the final product is ready. Manufacturer: Dianjiang Sauce Garden Factory, Dianjiang, Chongqing, China