🍽️ Hami Melon

Thin rind and crisp flesh, a Xinjiang melon icon.

Hami Melon is the representative muskmelon of Xinjiang, named after Hami, where the Turpan-Hami Basin's dry, low-rainfall climate and large day-night temperature swings build high sugar and rich flavor. A good Hami melon has a thin rind, thick orange or pale flesh that is crisp or tender, and abundant sweet juice that refreshes on the bite. Varieties range from crisp to soft for different tastes. Besides being eaten fresh, it is dried into strips or juiced. Hami and Shanshan are traditional growing areas where melon stalls fill the summer streets. Known as the king of Xinjiang melons, it is prized for sweetness and aroma, a must-try seasonal fruit for visitors and a familiar Xinjiang flavor nationwide.