Yantou Watermelon

Yantou Watermelon

　　　Product Name: Yantou Watermelon

　　Product Origin: Wenzhou

　　Product Features: Large size, thin rind, juicy, sweet, high sugar content, soft and crisp texture, refreshing taste

　　Product Introduction: Yantou Watermelon is characterized by its large size, thin rind, juicy flesh, sweet taste, high sugar content, soft and crisp texture, and refreshing flavor. As a classic summer treat, watermelon has always been beloved by people.

　　Product History: The Song Dynasty poet Fan Chengda wrote: “Green vines lie on soft sand through frosty dawns, now everywhere we eat watermelons.” The Qing Dynasty scholar Ji Xiaolan praised it: “Cool as ice and snow, sweet as honey—no need for Jingning’s finest tea to match.” Also known as the “cold melon,” watermelon originally comes from vast, hot, and arid tropical desert regions in Africa. After thousands of years of cultivation, the wild berry was developed into the large, juicy, and sweet fruit we know today. During the Tang and Five Dynasties periods, watermelon brought fame to Yantou. Every summer, it became a bestseller in the Yantou market, with merchants from all over Wenzhou coming in an endless stream to sell their wares—by cart and by boat—creating a lively scene. The main production areas of Nanxi watermelons include Yantou, Fenglin, Gangtou, and Xi’an, among which the watermelons from Wanli Village in Yantou Town and Shagang in Fenglin Town are the most famous. The sandy soil in the Yantou area is particularly suitable for growing watermelons. Because sandy soil absorbs heat quickly during the day, it helps the melons grow and accumulate sugar. At the same time, local farmers are very particular about fertilization, primarily using human manure, chicken and duck droppings, and cattle and sheep manure as base fertilizers, while minimizing or avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers. Over the years, they have developed a unique set of techniques for growing watermelons, which is why Yantou watermelons maintain their excellent quality to this day. According to surveys, the typical planting area for watermelons in the Yantou region amounts to over 2,500 mu, yielding 7,500 dan per year. The average yield is around 700–750 kilograms per mu, with high-yield fields reaching up to 3,000 kilograms. In recent years, both the planted area and per-unit yield have increased.