Gaoshi Crisp Melon

Gaoshi Crisp Melon

Gaoshi Crisp Melon is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Gaoshi Crisp Melon was first cultivated in Donggaocheng Village, Gaoming Town. The name “Gaoshi” originates from the local pronunciation of “cheng” (城) as “shi” (石), hence the name “Gaoshi Crisp Melon.”

　　Gaoshi Crisp Melon has a long cultivation history. According to Wang Tiancang, a villager of Donggaocheng, the 400-year-old Wang family genealogy records that during the Ming Dynasty, Donggaocheng was called Yongle Fort, and the genealogy mentions Gaoshi Crisp Melon. According to Wang Wei, who heard from his grandfather Wang Shucan in his childhood, during the Yongle era (approximately the 11th year of Yongle), a villager from Yongle Fort followed Zheng He on his voyages to the Western Seas and brought back melon seeds from Persia (Iran). After planting them in Donggaocheng Village, the resulting melons had a unique flavor and were named Gaoshi Crisp Melon. They have been cultivated ever since, with about 600 years of history. According to the *Commercial Annals of Dali County*, in the late Qing Dynasty, Yan Jingming, a prime minister known for saving the nation, presented this melon to the imperial palace. Empresses Dowager Cian and Cixi praised it as “fragrant, sweet, crisp, and delicious,” and ordered Tongzhou Prefecture to present it as an annual tribute, making it an imperial delicacy ever since.

　　An Excellent Gift

　　Known as the “Beautiful Sweet Melon,” Gaoshi Crisp Melon leaves a lingering aftertaste. During the Republican era, General Yang Hucheng once inspected the Yellow River affairs in Chaoyi. In his leisure time, he visited Gaoshancheng with his close friend Xu Shaonan and Wang Shucan, the head of the Chaoyi County Education Bureau, to taste “Gaoshi Crisp Melon.” He was so impressed that he wrote the praise: “Gaoshi Crisp Melon, renowned across the world.”

　　Gaoshi Crisp Melon has a unique fragrance. When placed indoors, its aroma fills the entire room—a quality unmatched among melon varieties nationwide. Even overseas陕西 natives working far from home can recognize the scent and know that guests from their hometown have arrived. In recent years, Gaoshi Crisp Melon has become a premium gift for business occasions. Whether “going up to the province or visiting the capital,” those who taste it never fail to praise it.

　　Gaoshi Crisp Melon is cylindrical in shape, with a diameter of about 10–13 cm and a length of 25–35 cm. Individual melons weigh between 2–3 jin (small) and 5–8 jin or more (large), earning it the title “King of Melons.” The surface of the melon features a round vein pattern at the top of the head, slightly raised in the center, from which ten radiating vein lines extend toward the tail, dividing the cylindrical body into ten perfectly symmetrical sections. All the vein lines are slightly indented, while the rest of the surface presents neatly raised ridges. When cut horizontally, the regular pattern of concave and convex shapes resembles the lotus pedestal beneath a bodhisattva.

　　Unique Quality

　　The qualities of Gaoshi Crisp Melon can be summarized in five words: fragrant, crisp, flaky, sweet, and beautiful.

　　Fragrant: When ripe, Gaoshi Crisp Melon emits a rich, distinctive aroma unmatched in melon markets across the country.

　　Crisp: Though a type of melon, most have thick skins, hard flesh, and subpar taste, requiring peeling before eating. Gaoshi Crisp Melon is unique for its thin skin, tender and flaky flesh, and delicious flavor.

　　Flaky: Gaoshi Crisp Melon not only boasts a fragrant aroma and thin skin but also has thick, flaky flesh.

　　Sweet: With high sugar content, Gaoshi Crisp Melon tastes as sweet as honey, leaving a sweet sensation that lingers on the palate.

　　Beautiful: Gaoshi Crisp Melon is truly beautiful—not only in fragrance and taste, but also in form. Its fragrance, crispness, flakiness, and sweetness reflect its quality beauty, complemented by its elegant shape.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area of Gaoshi Crisp Melon is located in the northern plateau region of Dali County, eastern Guanzhong Plain. It spans longitude 110°03′49″–110°18′46″ and latitude 34°89′94″–35°02′, covering three towns: Gaoming, Liangyi, and Fanjia. The total area is over 40,000 mu, with an annual yield of 14,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Product Features: Gaoshi Crisp Melon is characterized by five qualities, summarized in five words: fragrant, crisp, flaky, sweet, and beautiful. It is cylindrical in shape, with a diameter of about 10–13 cm and a length of 25–35 cm. Individual melons weigh between 2–3 jin (small) and 5–8 jin or more (large). The surface features a round vein pattern at the top, slightly raised in the center, from which ten radiating lines extend toward the tail, dividing the body into ten symmetrical sections. All vein lines are slightly indented, while the rest of the surface shows neat raised ridges. When cut horizontally, the regular pattern of bumps and indentations resembles a lotus pedestal, making it highly attractive. 2. Safety Standards: The growing environment of Gaoshi Crisp Melon meets the requirements of GB8407.1 *Environmental Conditions for Pollution-Free Vegetable Production Areas*. The production process strictly follows the *Gaoshi Crisp Melon Production Technical Regulations*. Pesticide residue levels exceeding standards are handled in accordance with the *Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law*, and the product complies with GB8406.1 *Safety Requirements for Pollution-Free Vegetables*.