Bonghwa's Jaesan watermelons hit markets nationwide

Jaesan watermelons, a signature summer specialty of Bonghwa-gun in North Gyeongsang Province, have begun their first shipments of the season as the harvest gets underway.

Bonghwa-gun said Wednesday that the Jaesan area sits at an elevation of 300 to 400 meters above sea level, where abundant sunlight and daily temperature swings of more than 15 degrees Celsius produce watermelons with firmer flesh, higher sugar content, better color and superior shelf life compared with those grown elsewhere.

This year, only watermelons scoring 11 Brix or higher on a non-destructive sugar-content tester will be shipped as top-grade produce. Greenhouse-grown watermelons are set to be available throughout July, while field-grown varieties will ship from late July through mid-August.

Jaesan watermelons will be available at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart outlets, hypermarkets and wholesale markets in the Greater Seoul area.

"I am delighted that our premium Jaesan watermelons, the fruit of farmers' hard work, are again going out to consumers at the highest quality this year," Bonghwa-gun Mayor Choi Gi-yeong said. "We will continue to spare no effort in producing safe, delicious, high-quality agricultural products that consumers can trust."