Leidian Watermelon

Leidian Watermelon

　　   Leidian watermelon is a specialty of Leidian Town, Deqing County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province. "Leidian Watermelon" enjoys a high reputation in the Huzhou area. All commercial melons are labeled with a "green tag."

　　   Watermelons originated in the West and were introduced to China from Arabia. As early as the Tang Dynasty, watermelons were noted for their sweet taste, juiciness, and ability to relieve summer heat.

　　   Leidian is situated on the Hangjiahu Plain, known as the "Paradise on Earth," and has a subtropical monsoon climate with distinct seasons, warm and humid weather, abundant sunlight, and fertile soil—conditions that are highly suitable for watermelon cultivation. The mini watermelon variety "Extra Small Feng" averages 1–1.5 kilograms per fruit. These melons have thin rinds, golden-yellow flesh, tender and crisp texture, a sweet and juicy taste, and an excellent mouthfeel, making them ideal for families of three. Larger varieties such as "Jingxin" and "Zhengbao" weigh around 4 kilograms each and are suitable for banquets, hotel meals, restaurant events, conferences, and catering. "Leidian Watermelon" enjoys a high reputation in the Huzhou area. All commercial melons are labeled with a "green tag."

　　   Leidian watermelon contains various nutrients needed by the human body, including phosphoric acid, malic acid, fructose, glucose, amino acids, betaine, lycopene, carotene, sucrase, and vitamin C. Watermelon is mildly sweet and cool in nature, and enters the heart, lung, spleen, and kidney meridians. For medicinal use, the watermelon rind is considered even more beneficial than the flesh itself. In traditional Chinese medicine, the rind is referred to as "watermelon green skin." It helps relieve irritability and thirst, clears summer heat, promotes urination and reduces qi, detoxifies alcohol, treats mouth sores and sore throat, alleviates dry mouth and restlessness, combats summer heat, stops bleeding dysentery, relieves urinary difficulties, jaundice, and edema. Watermelon is a sweet and thirst-quenching fruit with cooling and heat-relieving properties, making it refreshing to eat during hot summer days. However, due to its cool nature, those who are physically weak, have a cold stomach, or suffer from indigestion should consume it with caution or in small amounts, as it may cause diarrhea or abdominal pain.