Fresno Bee food writer covers agriculture.

Fresno Bee food writer Joan Obra has taken a keen interest in local agriculture. One of her regular contacts is UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Richard Molinar. As the small farm advisor, he works with many interesting crops -- just the type of thing reporters can't resist.

Today, the Bee's food section features a prominent story and several photos about baby watermelons, a crop Molinar is investigating at the UC Kearney Research and Extension Center. Molinar is holding a melon tasting for the public from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Sept. 6.

Obra's article says that between 2005 and 2006, statewide production of mini watermelons jumped 35 percent to reach 96.5 million pounds. Nationwide, minis made up about 8.5 percent of the U.S. watermelon market last year.

Molinar is growing 23 varieties of small watermelons. He is comparing an array of fruit characteristics, such as weight, skin color, rind thickness, flesh color, texture and sweetness.

Mini watermelons, sometimes called personal watermelons, have their benefits, primarily the fact that they fit in the refrigerator better. But some people feel they are expensive, as Obra's article points out. Production costs are the same for the small fruit as the large so they are often priced similarly.

Recently, a colleague sent photos of another innovative way to make it easier to keep watermelons on refrigerator shelves.

Japanese farmers are growing watermelons inside tempered glass cubes. The result, convenient square melons. However, the price must be over the top.

Square Melon

Read more