Kherson watermelon
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The watermelon is a symbol of the region of Kherson Oblast, Ukraine. More than 50% of the watermelons in Ukraine are produced in Kherson Oblast and are shipped upriver to Kyiv.
Production
[edit]Since 24 July 2024, the Kherson watermelon has an appellation of origin in Ukraine,[1] meaning that all stages of its production process are guaranteed to take place in its area of origin, which exclusively determines the product's characteristic qualities.[2] Specifically, it is grown on sandy soils of Kakhovka, Kherson, and Skadovsk raions, yielding dense, crunchy, and sweet (at least 12 °Bx) fruits. Kherson watermelons are round or slightly oblong, with an elongation ratio of 1 to 1.2. The nitrate content is limited to 40 mg/kg.[3]
History
[edit]
Watermelons were thought to have been introduced by Crimean Tatars – a Turkic ethnic group and an indigenous peoples of Crimea – before the 18th century. During World War II, residents of the Kherson region would make molasses or jam from boiled-down watermelons when there were restrictions on sugar usage. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, a yearly tradition was televised, with a barge full of watermelons leaving Kherson for Kyiv along the Dnieper river.[4]
Russian invasion
[edit]During the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent Russian occupation, farmers in the region who usually produced watermelons were unable to do so. The watermelon became a symbol of Kherson.[5][6][7][8] At the Ukrainian stand at COP27, a watermelon was displayed with a Ukrainian flag.[9] The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, joked upon arriving in newly liberated Kherson in November 2022 that he travelled there because he "wanted a watermelon".[4][10] Ukrposhta, the Ukrainian national postal services company, released watermelon-themed stamps commemorating the liberation of Kherson.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Реєстр географічних зазначень [Register of geographic indications]. Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ Основне про географічні зазначення [Basics of geographical indications]. Geographical indications of Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ ХЕРСОНСЬКИЙ КАВУН Свідоцтво на географічне зазначення [Kherson watermelon Certificate of Geographical Indication]. Special information system of UANIPIO (SIS) (in Ukrainian). 24 July 2025. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Why did Zelensky want a watermelon in Kherson?". BBC News. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "Ukraine-Russia war latest: Wagner chief claims Russia used 'lethal force' against mercenaries; dam 'catastrophe' leaves town 'underwater'". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ admin (2022-11-12). "How did the watermelon become a symbol of Kherson's liberation from Russian occupation?". We Are Ukraine (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "Making sense of Ukrainian war memes: From watermelons to Saint Javelin". The Kyiv Independent. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "A Trip to Kherson: Watermelons, Amazons, and a Dead Sea". Odessa Review. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ "The pavilion and the watermelon: How Ukraine made its COP27 climate conference display an anti-war message". The Globe and Mail. 2022-11-15. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "Ukraine round-up: Zelensky's Kherson warning, war letters and watermelon". BBC News. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- ^ Danylov, Oleg (11 November 2022). "Ukrposhta announced the new release "Kherson is Ukraine!"". Mezha.
