Frozen Watermelon from Hequ

Frozen Watermelon from Hequ

　　   Hequ County in northwestern Shanxi is famous for its watermelons. The local watermelons are relatively small, with deep red flesh that is both sandy and sweet, making them popular for hundreds of miles around.

　　        Not only are Hequ people skilled at growing watermelons, but they also have unique methods for preserving them. During the hottest days of summer, freshly picked, high-quality watermelons are stored indoors with great care and can be preserved until winter freezes set in. Alternatively, vines from which summer melons have been harvested but not yet died can be used to grow a second crop—known as “second growth melons.” These mature only by autumn harvest time and can be preserved until freezing weather arrives. During the harsh cold season, watermelons frozen solid either indoors or outdoors can be kept until March or April of the following spring, becoming a much-loved seasonal delicacy.

　　    Frozen watermelons from Hequ have flesh that resembles clear ice, with remnants of their original flavor but very little sweetness left. Locally, it’s said that the main part you eat is the rind. In fact, after being frozen for so long, the red pigments and sugars inside the fruit concentrate in the rind. When you peel off the dark green outer skin and chew on the tough, sweet rind, you discover a truly unique taste—especially when enjoying frozen watermelon by the fireplace during the coldest days of winter.