Aishan Melon

Aishan Melon

　　Aishan Melon is a specialty of Xuzhou. Historically, Aishan watermelons were highly renowned — large in size and excellent in quality, so much so that a single porter could usually carry only two per shoulder-load. There were generally four types of melons: one with a black rind, black seeds, and red flesh, called Heigangpi; another with a mottled rind (green base with black stripes), also black seeds and red flesh, known as Jieyi; one with a white rind, white seeds, and white flesh, called Sanbai; and one small in size, with thin skin, tiny seeds, black rind, and red flesh, called Fengyangzi. The first three varieties ideally produced one melon per plant, while Fengyangzi could yield 3–5 per plant. The greatest advantage of Aishan watermelons was their high juice content and sugar level, all with a sandy texture. When eaten, they offered a granular mouthfeel, strong honey flavor, and a refreshing aroma. Today, vendors in melon markets often still advertise Aishan Melons, but those found in markets today are entirely different from the original variety — they are just ordinary hybrid melons, not only smaller in size, but with dense flesh and low sweetness.

　　Aishan Melons have a long history. According to historical records: during the Warring States period, the state of Chu planted large sweet melons in its borderlands (now around Qicheng in Anhui). The people of Wei wanted the seeds of these melons, but the Chu people refused, leading to a war between the two states. Later, peace was brokered in Qicheng, and from then on, watermelons began to spread northward. The Pei region also started cultivating watermelons, but those from Aishan stood out as superior. Historically, the high quality of Aishan watermelons had two reasons: first, the superior natural conditions — the area around Aishan features mostly bluish sandy soil; second, the cultivation technique — in the past, Aishan growers exclusively used sesame oil cake residue as fertilizer for the melons, using no other types of fertilizer.