Chenlou honeydew melon was processed into many varieties by "capable people painting spring". Melons that look like melons are called honeydew melons (the big ones weigh five or six kilograms), and there is a thin layer of sesame seeds on the surface, which tastes sticky and sweet and full of fragrance. In the past, on the 23rd night of the twelfth lunar month, every household would buy some honeydew melons to offer sacrifices to the kitchen god. According to folklore, the Kitchen God was originally a star in the sky. Because he made a mistake, he was relegated to the world by the Jade Emperor and became an "oriental chef". It sits in the middle of every kitchen stove, observes people's life and behavior, records all the good and bad things in detail, and turns to heaven on December 23 of the lunar calendar to report the good and evil of every household to the Jade Emperor. On the night of the twelfth lunar month, he returned to earth to punish evil and promote good according to the jade emperor's will.
Therefore, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, people will offer sacrifices to stoves and give sticky and sweet honeydew melons to the kitchen king, and stick his mouth on it, so that he can "speak well in heaven and keep peace in the next world". Children regard this day as a prelude and "rehearsal" for the Spring Festival. As soon as it got dark, firecrackers were set off. In the sound of firecrackers, the host of the family put a plate of honeydew melon and a bowl of green tea in front of the statue of Kitchen King, lit candles and incense, prayed and saluted, then took the statue of Kitchen King off the wall and burned it, then poured tea on the paper ashes, and the honeydew melon was eaten by the children.
On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, honeydew melons offer sacrifices to the stove, which is lively, grand and humorous, so it is called "Celebrating the New Year". Nowadays, Chenlou honeydew melon has become a delicious food for people's nutrition and health care and gifts to relatives and friends.