#Agriculture #GreenhouseGrowing #Cantaloupes #Farmers #HarvestSuccess #GrowingChallenges #DeliciousHarvest #AgriculturalInnovation
The scenic city of Kakegawa, Japan recently hosted a remarkable event, the Autumn Cantaloupe Evaluation, where farmers from the central-western prefecture demonstrated their skills in cultivating cantaloupe. Organized annually by the Shizuman Prefectural Greenhouse Agricultural Cooperative Branch, the event aims to improve the growing methods of local melon farmers.
This year, a total of 24 autumn cantaloupes grown in greenhouses in five cities and one city in the west-central prefecture were submitted for evaluation. A panel of 10 judges, including representatives from the Tokyo and Osaka commodity markets, carefully assessed the entries.
The judging process began by examining the grid pattern on the surface and the overall shape of the melon. The judges subsequently sliced the melons to measure sweetness, known as brix, and conducted a taste test to evaluate flavor and texture.
According to the co-op, this year’s fall harvest was challenged by unusually hot weather from October to November. Despite the smaller-than-usual harvest, the melons exhibited exceptional sweetness and were a delicious culinary delight.
Masakazu Masuda, branch director of the Shizuman branch of the Prefectural Greenhouse Agricultural Cooperative, shared his thoughts: “This year, we encountered problems related to the lingering summer heat that continued even into November, making cultivation difficult. However, with temperatures finally dropping we are looking forward to a promising harvest. We hope consumers enjoy the melons at the peak of their ripeness and enjoy their delicious flavor.”
The fall cantaloupe evaluation not only highlights the resilience of farmers facing climate challenges, but also highlights the exceptional quality achieved in this year’s crop. Despite the smaller harvest, the melons captivate with their intense sweetness, a testament to the dedication and skill of local farmers.
