Pucheng Watermelon

Pucheng Watermelon

Pucheng Watermelon is an agricultural product with geographical indication status.

　　  Pucheng Watermelon is a specialty of Pucheng County, Weinan, Shaanxi Province.

　　  The cultivation of Pucheng watermelon can be traced back to the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, dating back over 300 years. The wooden-block-printed *Pucheng Annals* from the Qing Dynasty records "watermelon, pumpkin, vegetable melon, king melon, loofah, and winter melon." Watermelon is listed first, indicating that it was already cultivated on a certain scale at the time. The Qing Dynasty’s *Bureau Regulations Book* also mentions that "agricultural and sideline products such as watermelons, mooncakes, chickens, ducks, duck eggs, and chicken eggs were all taxed," showing that watermelon cultivation had reached a considerable level by then.

　　  Region:

　　  Shaanxi

　　  Applicant:

　　  Pucheng County Facility Agriculture Service Bureau

　　  Region:

　　  2014

　　  Geographical Scope

　　  The geographical scope of the Pucheng Watermelon agricultural product with geographical indication status is located within Pucheng County. The geographic coordinates are between 109°20'17"–109°54'48" east longitude and 34°44'50"–34°59'30" north latitude. It mainly covers 13 towns and 4 subdistrict offices, including Longchi Town, Longyang Town, Chenzhuang Town, Dangmu Town, Chunlin Town, Jingyao Town, Sufang Town, Xing Town, Qiaoling Town, Xiangcun Town, Chengguan Town, Sun Town, Yongfeng Town, Chengnan New District Office, Yuanren Office, Pinglumiao Office, and Sanhe Office, encompassing 230 administrative villages. The total area is 120,000 mu, with an annual output of 400,000 tons.

　　  Product Quality Characteristics

　　  1. External Sensory Features: Pucheng watermelons are round or oval in shape. Early and extra-early ripening varieties weigh 2–3 kg per fruit, while mid-to-late ripening varieties weigh 7–10 kg. The rind features a green base with stripes or is dark green in color. The flesh is bright red, tender, juicy, crisp in texture, and pleasantly sweet and sandy. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Pucheng watermelons are rich in nutrients, containing substances such as Vitamin C. The levels of total sugar, Vitamin C, and soluble solids are significantly higher than the control group. Specifically, the total sugar content is no less than 9.49%, the Vitamin C content is no less than 6.09 mg/100g, and the soluble solids content is no less than 12.4%. 3. Safety Requirements: Pucheng watermelons are produced according to pollution-free agricultural product standards, and their safety indicators meet relevant national standards.