Taiwanese Cui Niu Melons
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Cui Niu melons are a smaller varietal, averaging 8 to 10 centimeters in diameter and 10 to 11 centimeters in length, and have a round to slightly oval shape, tapering at one end. The melon’s skin is thin, smooth, and taut, showcasing dark green striping, mottling, and markings. It is important to note that the skin is edible and somewhat delicate, as it can easily crack. The skin typically features pale green to dark green hues, and a small, raised, rough-textured ring may be present at the base of the fruit. Underneath the surface, Cui Niu melons are dark green beneath the skin and lighten to a pale green or yellow-green hue in the center. The flesh is semi-soft, dense, and aqueous with a crunchy, crisp, and succulent consistency. The flesh also envelops a cavity filled with tear-drop-shaped tan seeds. These seeds are thin, narrow, and encased in a gelatinous coating, suspended in the cavity with fibers. Cui Niu melons emit a faintly fruity and floral aroma, and ripe fruits will have a slight given when pressed on the base. The skin, flesh, and seeds are edible. The variety is known for its high sugar content, ranging from 13 to 16 degrees Brix, contributing to the melon’s sweet, subtly sour, and refreshing taste.
Seasons/Availability
Cui Niu melons are available for a limited season in the summer.
Current Facts
Cui Niu melons, botanically classified as Cucumis melo, are a Taiwanese variety belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. The green-skinned melons were released in the early 21st century and are a new variety of Meinong melon, a seasonal summer cultivar. Cui Niu melons are known by several names, including Cui Niu Meinong melon, Cuiniu melon, and Cui Niu Green Jade melon. They are also sometimes nicknamed Crunchy Girl or Crunchy Woman melons in markets for their crisp consistency. Cui Niu melons have edible skin, flesh, and seeds and are prized for their sweet and subtly sour flavoring. The variety is only grown in limited quantities each year due to challenging cultivation requirements and is produced in greenhouses to protect the melon’s delicate, easily cracked skin. Cui Niu melons are cultivated vertically, allowing the fruits to hang from the vines rather than rest on the ground, and large fans are often placed in the greenhouse to help control temperatures. Each plant is also pollinated by resident bees kept in the greenhouse. Cui Niu melons have a short flowering period and sometimes require hand pollination in addition to bee pollination to produce a larger crop. Only one melon is allowed to grow on each vine, and they are left on the plant until ripe. Cui Niu melons are a seasonal delicacy that is only available for a period in the summer. The melons are primarily purchased as gifts for family, friends, and business partners and are enjoyed as a refreshing, sweet, and crunchy fruit.
Nutritional Value
Cui Niu melons have not been studied for their nutritional properties. Like other melon varieties, Cui Niu melons may be a source of potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning, copper to assist the body in producing red blood cells, and vitamin C to strengthen the immune system. Melons also provide folate to support overall cell growth, magnesium to control nerve functions, fiber to regulate the digestive tract, and other nutrients, including vitamin K and zinc. In Taiwan, juicy melons are viewed as a cooling ingredient. They are traditionally consumed to remove heat from the body and act as a source of hydration to quench thirst.
Applications
Cui Niu melons have a sweet and subtly sour taste suited for fresh preparations. The melon is considered a premium, rare variety, leading it to be mainly enjoyed raw to savor its authentic flavor and texture. Cui Niu melons are popularly chilled before serving, and the entire melon can be eaten, including the skin and seeds. It is up to the consumer's discretion whether they want to eat these portions or not. Some consumers only eat the flesh, even though these other parts are edible. Cui Niu melons can be sliced and served on appetizer platters, cubed and tossed into fruit medleys, or mixed into green salads. They are also used as a fresh topping over breakfast dishes and desserts like ice cream, cakes, and tarts. In addition to slicing and serving the fruits, Cui Niu melons can be blended into smoothies, shakes, and juices as a refreshing element. They are also occasionally blended and frozen into popsicles, sorbet, shaved ice, and ice cream. While less common, Cui Niu melons can be made into jellies and candies or dried for extended use as a chewy snack. Cui Niu melons pair well with other fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, citrus, and grapes, vanilla, and herbs, including mint and basil. Cui Niu melons will keep up to one week when placed in a plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended that the melons be consumed relatively soon after purchase for the best quality and flavor.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Each year, Chiayi County holds a melon competition to promote the premium varieties, including Cui Niu melons, grown in the region. Chiayi is located in southwestern Taiwan and is known for its melon production. The region’s climate provides ample sunshine in a subtropical to tropical environment, creating a stable growing atmosphere for greenhouse cultivation. In the summer, Chiayi is famous for its seasonal Meinong melons, and Cui Niu is a new type of Meinong melon that was released for its edible skin and distinct coloring. The Chiayi Melon Festival was established in 2010 and notably features an evaluation competition. This competition was created to inspire local growers to produce high-quality crops as the winning melon receives recognition and promotion in the coming year. The competing melons are judged on their appearance, taste, and shape. They are also tested to see if pesticides were used during cultivation. Cui Niu melons were the 2018 Chiayi County Melon Festival Competition Winner, and this was the same year the variety was commercially released to the public.
Geography/History
Cui Niu melons are native to Taiwan and were developed by the Chiayi Shuangshui Township Farmers Association in 2018. Much of the variety’s history is unknown or kept proprietary. The variety is said to be a type of Meinong melon and was selected for trial plantings in Chiayi before it was released. After several years of evaluations and testing, Cui Niu was commercially released as a high-end melon cultivar. Cui Niu was initially met with apprehension, as many consumers thought the melons were unripe or immature fruits. Over time, with promotion and explanation, the green-skinned melon became a favored seasonal delicacy. Today, Cui Niu melons are grown in Chiayi County and sold in limited quantities throughout Taiwan. They are mainly found at gift markets and supermarkets. The Cui Niu melons featured in the photograph above were sourced through Binjiang Market in Taipei, Taiwan.
