Aurora Melons
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Aurora melons are a small to medium-sized variety, averaging 15 to 18 centimeters in length and 9 to 11 centimeters in diameter, and have an elongated, oval appearance with a straight shape and blunt, curved ends. The melons are grown to weigh at least 1.2 kilograms and can reach up to 2.2 kilograms, and are enveloped in a thin, fine layer of netting. This netting is created during cultivation when the fruit swells, causing the pressure from the fruit’s interior to crack the melon’s surface. Juice is released from the cracks, but the cracks later seal, developing a net-like pattern across the surface. The light tan netting is typically even and only slightly raised with a light texture. Underneath the netting, the melon’s rind is mottled with dark green and yellow hues. The flesh is thick, crisp, aqueous, and light, showcasing an orange-red coloring with a thin ring of green just below the rind. The melon’s flesh is succulent and refreshing with a light crunch, often compared to a watermelon or Asian pear. Aurora melons should feel heavy for their size and will have a consistent flavor throughout the flesh. The variety is known for its sweet, floral, and caramel-like fragrance and high sugar content, ranging from 14 to 19 degrees Brix, a unit of measurement for sugar. Aurora melons are edible raw once ripe and have a delicate, sweet, mild, fruity, floral, and honey-like flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Aurora melons have two seasons in Taiwan and are available for a few weeks in the spring and fall. In the spring, the variety is mainly found in May and June, while in the fall, they are seen in October and November.
Current Facts
Aurora melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, are a modern type of Hami melon belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The variety was developed and released in Taiwan in the early 21st century and is only produced in limited quantities each year. Aurora melons are also called Camilla melons, which is their true variety name, along with Chiayi Aurora melons, Chiayi Aurora Hami melons, and Camilla Hami melons. In Taiwan, the melons must pass strict inspection before being sold under the Aurora name. The variety is solely cultivated in greenhouses in the Chiayi region of Taiwan, and only one fruit is allowed to develop per plant. This ensures that all the nutrients and sugars from the plant are directly fed into the one fruit for the sweetest, richest taste. Aurora melons are ready for harvest 75 to 90 days after sowing, and the fruits are required to pass a pesticide residue inspection. The melons must also weigh over 1.2 kilograms and have a sugar content above 14 degrees Brix. Aurora melons are closely inspected for their appearance. The raised surface lines must be larger than 0.3 centimeters but less than 5 centimeters, and the netting should be evenly spaced, uniform, and appealing. Only melons that pass all six requirements are sold under the Aurora name and bear a certified government sticker and label, which are signs of prestige and quality. Aurora melons are known for their crisp texture, sweet taste, and extended storage periods. The melons can be eaten immediately when ripe or exported and shipped for longer distances without damage. Aurora melons are only available for a few weeks each season and are positioned as a high-end, premium fruit sold as fresh-eating gifts for family and friends.
Nutritional Value
Aurora melons have not been studied for their nutritional properties. Hami melons, in general, are a source of fiber to aid in digestion and potassium to help the body balance fluid levels. Hami melons also provide vitamins A, C, and E to strengthen the immune system, maintain healthy organs, and guard the cells against free radical damage. Other nutrients include lower amounts of calcium to support bone and teeth health, and magnesium to assist the body in controlling daily nerve functions.
Applications
Aurora melons have a delicate, refreshing, and sweet taste suited for fresh preparations. The rind should be washed before cutting to remove any harmful bacteria or viruses that may be lingering on the surface. Once cleaned, the melon can be cut into wedges and served as a refreshing snack or dessert. Aurora melons are mostly eaten out of hand and are savored for their distinctly crisp flesh. The flesh can also be sliced into cubes or smaller pieces and tossed into green salads and fruit medleys or displayed on appetizers, cheese boards, and fruit platters. In Taiwan, it is popular to slightly chill the melons before serving to enhance their overall sweetness. While less common, Aurora melons may be utilized in homemade desserts, jams, or jellies. Aurora melons pair well with herbs like parsley, basil, and mint, and fruits including strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. Whole, unwashed Aurora melons will keep for 7 to 10 days when stored unopened at room temperature. The melons can also last for several weeks when kept in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Aurora melons were given their brand name by Magistrate Weng Chang-Liang. The Taiwanese politician was the magistrate of Chiayi County when the variety was released, and Chiayi County is also the region where Aurora melons are exclusively grown. Magistrate Weng Chang-Liang appeared on several television programs promoting the melon in the early 21st century and was often nicknamed the “father of Aurora.” It is said the magistrate chose the name as the melon’s bi-colored flesh was reminiscent of the popular atmospheric light display, a natural phenomenon considered beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Aurora melons embody this beauty, and the name can be used cross-culturally, having the same meaning when sold in markets worldwide. Chiayi County in southwestern Taiwan is known for its ideal cultivation conditions for melons, and when Aurora melons are in season, Taiwanese residents often claim they are going to see the northern lights in Chiayi, a play-on phrase for going to find the Aurora melon.
Geography/History
Aurora melons were developed in Taiwan in the early 21st century. The melon variety was created by Known-You Seed, a seed company based in Taiwan that develops improved varieties of fruits and vegetables. It took over ten years to breed, evaluate, and release Aurora melons, and the variety was bred from the Xingjiang Xishou Mi No. 17 melons, a type of Hami melon from China. Aurora melons were initially known under their variety name, Camilla melons, and were rebranded under the trademark name Aurora for increased consumer sales. Known-You Seed partnered with the Chiayi County Government to release the variety as a specialty melon of the Chiayi region, and the melons are seasonally sold as premium, fresh-eating fruits. Today, Aurora melons are sold domestically throughout Taiwan and are also exported to other countries in Asia. When in season, Aurora melons are offered through high-end fruit markets, department stores, and select company chains.
