Around the World in 40 Fruits – Volume 39 – By Dr. Marli Botha – Article 39 of 40
By Dr. Marli Botha
Turkmenistan’s watermelons and melons are a source of national pride, known for their exceptional sweetness, variety, and cultural significance. Celebrated annually on National Melon Day in August, with major exports to Russia and Qatar.
So beloved are these fruits that the nation even dedicates an entire festival to honouring them each year:
- National Melon Day (Gawun Bayramy) is celebrated on the second Sunday in August, this festival honors the melon with competitions, cultural performances, and showcases the country’s agricultural achievements.
- How to Identify a Ripe Turkmen Watermelon? A ripe melon will have a characteristic yellow spot where it rested on the ground. A dry stem (tail) indicates ripeness. It should feel heavier than it looks and produce a moderately sonorous sound when tapped.
- Melons harvested in July and August can stay fresh for months, often enjoyed as a dessert until New Year’s.
- With about 92% water, it’s excellent for fluid intake, electrolyte balance, and cooling down.
