WATERMELON - Ukrainian Astrakhan

Astrakhan is an early maturing quality watermelon with vivid red flesh color. The 13-17 lb. oval-shaped fruit have a medium thick rind with a dark green stripe on a medium green background.  This variety is named for the city that it comes from, Astrakhan, Ukraine. 

Watermelon followed the trading routes of the ancient world and made its way to India and China and from there to Europe and the New World. By the 17th century it was cultivated widely in those parts of Europe where the climate was suitable, including parts of Ukraine and southern Russia. In 1660 the Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered that “watermelon gardens” be planted to produce Astrakhan watermelons for the royal court. Watermelons from Astrakhan and Kherson have always been considered the finest watermelons in the former USSR.