Parco Regionale Veneto del Delta del Po

The Po Delta Melon (Cucomus melo) has a scented yellow-orange pulp rich in seeds and it is cultivated in suitable soils with non-intensive techniques. To be sold in local fruit and vegetable markets, the Po Delta Melon must have the following characteristics:

Smooth variety

• Epicarp: smooth with a thin greenish-yellowish skin.
• Shape: medium-large spherical with a few grooves.
• Calibre: the circumference dimension vary from 30 to 45 cm.
• Average weight: from 1 to 2.5 kg, depending on cultivation conditions.
• Sugar content: the refractometric degree is over 13° Brix.
• Taste: sweet and aromatic.

Netted variety

• Epicarp: netted, with a good identification of the slices and uniform netting over the entire surface of the fruit. The skin colour is yellow - greenish, while the slice identification lines have a light green colour.
• Shape: spherical and ovoid.
• Calibre: the circumference dimensions vary from 30 to 45 cm.
• Average weight: from 1 to 2.5 kg, depending on cultivation conditions. The pulp varies from a salmon colour to a bright orange, depending of its type.
  
• Sugar content: the refractometric degree is over 13° Brix.
• Taste: sweet and aromatic.