Reggiana Watermelon (originally Anguria Reggiana ) is the name given to watermelons with Protected Geographical Indication status in Italy. The product's reputation for quality dates back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in correspondence between the Renaissance courts of the ancient Po Plain.
Product Features
Reggiana Watermelon refers to the fresh fruit of the botanical species Citrullus lanatus and is divided into three main types: Tondo (Round), Ovale (Oval), and Allungato (Long). The Tondo type is characterized by the Asahi Miyako (gray-green rind with dark green stripes), the Ovale type by the Crimson (shiny medium-green rind with dark green stripes), and the Allungato type by the Sentinel (shiny medium-green rind with dark green stripes). The defining characteristic of the fruit is its sweetness, which is related to the sugar content, which should be above 11 Brix for the Tondo (Asahi Miyako) type and above 12 Brix for the Ovale (Crimson) and Allungato (Sentinel) types. The flesh of all types should be crisp and firm. When offered for consumption, the fruit should be whole, clean, firm, free of parasites and foreign odors, and the peduncle (peduncolo) should be between 2 and 5 cm long.
History
The reputation for the quality of Reggiana watermelons dates back to the 16th century. Letters between the former Padano Renaissance courtiers praised the quality of the produce grown in this region.【1】 The fruit remained a premium crop until the 18th century, when the Risorgimento opened the borders between the provinces, allowing for expanded commercialization.【2】 Watermelon cultivation and consumption remained popular in the region until the 20th century, as evidenced by the existence of numerous kiosks (capanni) selling watermelon slices. In 1931, the lowland region in the Province of Reggio Emilia was mentioned in the Italian Tour Club's gourmet guide for its "watermelons and sugared melons." 【3】
Production Area
The Reggiana watermelon production area encompasses all or parts of certain municipalities in the province of Reggio Emilia. This region includes all of Bagnolo in Piano, Cadelbosco di Sopra, Campagnola Emilia, Castelnovo Sotto, Correggio, Fabbrico, Novellara, Poviglio, Rio Saliceto, S. Martino in Rio, and parts of Boretto, Brescello, Campegine, Gattatico, Gualtieri, Guastalla, Reggio Emilia, Reggiolo, Rolo, and Rubiera. This geographical area has specific soil and hydrogeological characteristics, consisting of calcareous soils of river ridges, transitional soils, and clayey soils of reclaimed valleys. The fruit ripens in clayey soils, which are difficult to cultivate but fertile and rich in natural elements such as potassium; these soils contribute to the chemical and organoleptic properties that determine the sweetness of the watermelon.
Cultivation Method
Reggiana watermelon can be grown using traditional techniques in the open field and/or in protected conditions (small tunnels and/or cold greenhouses) with a fully removable protective cover. Seeds are sown in seedling beds between January 10 and May 31. Seedlings are planted between February 25 and June 30, depending on the cultivation technique (open field, small tunnels, cold greenhouses). Plant density varies according to the type; up to 2,200 plants per hectare are allowed for the Tondo type and up to 2,000 for the Ovale and Allungato types. A five-year rotation is mandatory, but ristoppio (succession planting in the same area) is permitted if solarization or grafted seedlings are used.
Pollination must be by insects (entomophila). Watermelons are harvested at commercial maturity when the flesh is red, the seed coats have hardened, and the gelatinous coating surrounding the seeds has disappeared. Harvesting is done at least three times and up to 10 times from each plant to ensure the fruit has reached full maturity and has reached its highest sugar content, meaning it has reached its peak before full ripeness. Harvesting is done with a tool called a "roncola," a tool with a slightly curved blade designed to cut the fruit stem without damaging the plant's branches. Determining the exact moment of ripeness is based on the hollow sound the watermelon makes when gently tapped; this requires the ancient and established expertise of Reggio producers called "spiccatori" (pluckers).
Labeling and Control
Fruits intended for consumption as Anguria Reggiana IGP must be neatly arranged in suitable containers or storage bins/mini bins. The Anguria Reggiana IGP identification logo and the EU IGP symbol must be affixed to each watermelon. The label affixed to the watermelon must be oval and include the producer's name. The product's compliance with the production regulations is checked by the control organization Check Fruit, in accordance with Articles 36 and 37 of EU Regulation (EU) 1151/2012.
