Hami Melon

Photo: flickr user John Loo

About

The Hami melon is a sweet, juicy muskmelon originating from the Xinjiang region of Northwest China. The Hami melon has excellent nutritional value and is abundant in vitamins, apple acid, sugar, calcium, phosphorus, and iron.

Information

Other names: Chinese Hami Melon

Translations: Hami Πεπόνι, إلهامي البطيخ, ハミメロン, Hami dinja, Hami Melone, Hami Melone, Hami מלון, Hami дыни, Hami 멜론, Hami तरबूज, Hami Meló, Hami дині, 哈密瓜, Hami Melona, ХАМИ Диња, Hami Melón, Hami пъпеш

Physical Description

The Hami melon ranges from a round to oval shape and is often characterized by color patches and netting. There are more than 180 variations of this melon, causing a wide variety of shapes, sizes, rind patterns, and flesh colors.

Colors: Rind color varies between off-white, yellow, brown, and green with netting or lines.

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Sweet, light

Mouthfeel: Crisp, Juicy

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: july

Choosing: For the best flavor, look for melons with a fair amount of give at the flower end, but no signs of rot.

Buying: Although Hami melons are most common in China, they have recently become available in American markets, namely in Oregon and California.

Procuring: We live in Oregon City and bought a melon from farmer's market. Put seeds to sprout, three days later they had sprouted. Transplanted into small pots and 4 days later they are about 4 inches tall...no kidding...will keep you informed.

Preparation and Use

While the Hami melon is most commonly consumed raw, it can also be frozen for use in desserts. The seeds of the Hami melon can be fried for a savory dish, and the fruit's pericarp may also be processed in various dishes.

Conserving and Storing

Hami melons can be stored for several weeks at a temperature of 45 to 55 degrees F. Their flesh also freezes well, so their shelf life can be extended for use in frozen desserts.

Social/Political

The Hami melon is an important element of culture in Xinjiang, China and is even celebrated annually in the region's Hami Melon Festival.

History: The Hami melon is said to have originated in the Shanshan County of Xinjiang, China, where King Hami sent the Qing emperor the fruit as a tribute. The melon has since become representative of the Hami area and has become popular across the world for its flavor and aroma, with varieties being grown in California, Oregon, and several Central Asian countries.