It has the texture of a watermelon, the size of a grape, and the taste of a cucumber? Is this really a watermelon? Recently, this fruit known as the "world's smallest watermelon" has become popular again.

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According to reports, the smallest "watermelon" is produced in South America, and its scientific name is "Pepquino". It is a high-end fruit with high nutritional value. . It is 3 centimeters long and 2 centimeters in diameter. It has a smooth and tender outer skin and a greenish-green interior. It tastes as crisp and refreshing as a cucumber and can be eaten directly. This small watermelon contains a large number of biologically active enzymes, which can fight aging and have a significant effect on prolonging life.

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The smallest watermelon in the world, I feel so cute

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But in fact, this fruit is somewhat closely related to cucumber and not related to watermelon at all.

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Pepkino is a plant of the genus Melothria in the Cucurbitaceae family. Its scientific name is Melothria scabra. It is one of the melons. A new type of edible mini fruit, commonly known as "thumb watermelon". Also known as mouse melon, Mexican sour gherkin, and Mexican miniature watermelon, it is a wild fruit native to Mexico and Central America. Locally, it is mainly grown at home and used for fresh food, vegetable salads, cold dressing, pickling, cocktail making, etc. It was first introduced and cultivated in a greenhouse by the Dutch food manufacturer Copperpot Press. Once it was launched in the UK in 2009, the price was as high as 10 pounds per 250g. Note: Here is an explanation that both gherkin and cucumber belong to the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) species, but are just different cultivated varieties.

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This kind of thumb watermelon is oval in shape

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This kind of thumb watermelon fruit has a small appearance and is similar in size to pigeon eggs and cherry tomatoes. The whole growth period is 130 to 140 days (days), and the fruit setting period is It lasts for 65 to 80 days (days), and the fruit grows slowly. When mature, the fruit is about 2.5 cm long, and the weight of a single melon is 5-8 g. The yield per crop can reach 1500-2000 kg per 667 m2. The commercial melon is oval in shape, with dark green skin covered with silver-green stripes. It looks like a small watermelon, with a smooth surface and a thornless surface. The inner flesh is green and has a unique taste, with the fragrance of cucumber and the sweet and sour taste of lemon.

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Unlike the practice of eating only the flesh of watermelon (in fact, the rind also tastes good), this kind of mini The melon can be eaten from the outside to the rind and from the inside to the seeds.

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Look at it this way, no matter in terms of pulp, planting method, taste, etc., ?Thumb watermelon? More similar to cucumber.

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As big as a thumb

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Moreover, this kind of thumb watermelon also has a landscape function and is very suitable for sightseeing planting in ecological gardens; the management is relatively extensive, and there is no need to perform pruning, pruning, vine dropping and other processes during the growth period. It is suitable for home planting and extracurricular teaching experience planting in primary and secondary schools; because it is a wild species, it can adapt well to temperature changes in the outdoor environment, has strong climbing ability, and has green branches and leaves. It is an ideal plant for building walls and fence greening, and can be used in schools. , hotels, office buildings, residential buildings and many other landscape projects; thumb watermelon grows quickly and has strong covering ability. It can not only green slope protection walls, but also maintain water and soil. It is also used in landscape projects such as urban overpasses, highways, riverbanks, etc.; It can be used as a garden sketch to create a scene of its own.

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Why is this one different! (Internet pictures come in randomly, please pay attention to screening)

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Since 2011, this variety has been sold in Hangzhou , Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Shandong, Pingdingshan and other places have been successfully introduced. The current market price is around 160 yuan/kg.

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With such a noble status, an ordinary watermelon cannot even compare!

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References

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"Chinese Vegetables", Issue 13, 2013, College of Agriculture, Ningxia University.

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Author: Tadpole Jun Comprehensive Report