Zhejiang Yangmei

Zhejiang Yangmei

　　Yangmei

　　Yangmei in Zhejiang has a long history and abundant resources, and can be hailed as the “Yangmei Capital of the World.” Yangmei is the fruit product in Zhejiang that boasts the most distinctive advantages both nationally and globally. The planting area and yield have consistently led the country, with the current area covering nearly 1 million mu and production reaching 250,000 tons. The four major varieties currently in cultivation—Dongkui, Biqi, Ding’ao, and Wan Dao Yangmei—all originate from Zhejiang.

　　Yangmei is an evergreen tree,

　　Historically known as "ji zi," Li Shizhen’s *Compendium of Materia Medica* described it as resembling the water berry in shape but tasting like plum, hence the name “yangmei” (plum berry). Yangmei flowers in early spring and ripens in early summer. With bright red fruit and excellent flavor, it offers unique nutritional benefits. It is mild in nature and non-toxic, and provides functions such as quenching thirst, promoting saliva, aiding digestion, dispelling dampness, relieving heat, resisting cold, stopping diarrhea, cleansing the intestines, promoting urination, and treating dysentery. As a seasonal fruit of summer, it has long been favored by consumers in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. The fruit pulp contains 11%–13% sugar, 0.5%–1.2% acid, is rich in vitamin C, and also contains a certain amount of protein and fat. The eight types of amino acids found in yangmei are highly beneficial to human health. The calcium, phosphorus, and iron content in the fruit is several times to over a hundred times higher than that of other fruits. In addition to being eaten fresh, yangmei can also be processed into canned syrup, juice, fruit wine, dried fruit, and more. Yangmei belongs to the evergreen small tree category, with a well-rounded canopy, strong vitality, drought and poor soil tolerance, easy cultivation, and is an excellent species for garden greening.

　　The Dongkui variety of Yangmei originates from Huangyan and means the “Champion of the East.” It is currently the largest variety of yangmei in terms of fruit size and offers extremely high economic and ecological benefits. It has become one of the main cultivated varieties in China’s yangmei production.