Sheep's Horn Melon / Yangjiao Mi Melon

Alternative Names: Sheep's Horn Honey Melon, Plum Bean Horn Fruit
Botanical Name: Cucumis melo 'Yang Jiao Mi'
Classification: Thin-skinned melon cultivar, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family.

Characteristics:

· Appearance: Long conical fruit with one end thick and the other tapering, resembling a sheep's horn. Skin is light green or white-green with yellow stripes, weighing 0.6-1.2 kg.

· Flesh: Pale green, crisp and juicy with 20% sugar content, edible peel and seeds.

Nutritional Value:

· Rich in vitamins B1, B2, carotenoids, potassium, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber, low in calories (26 kcal/100g).

· Benefits include thirst-quenching, heat-clearing, cough-relief, and blood pressure regulation.

Production:

· Cultivation: Requires sunny, well-drained soil; greenhouse cultivation allows early harvest (March-May), while open-field crops mature in August-October.

Consumption Tips:

· Best served chilled, suitable for salads or juices.