Xiangshan Black Purple Bayberry

Xiangshan Black Purple Bayberry

　　Xiangshan Black Purple Bayberry is a specialty of Xiangshan County, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province. Thanks to their large size and superior quality, these bayberries are highly favored by consumers and have received unanimous praise from industry professionals. In 2003, they were honored as one of Zhejiang Province’s “Top Ten Premium Bayberries” and recognized as a green agricultural product of Ningbo.

　　The Black Purple Bayberry is a native variety of Xiangshan County, named for its dark purple to black color when ripe. Commonly referred to locally as “home bayberry,” it is said to have a cultivation history of over 500 years in Xiangshan. The trees are vigorous, and the fruit is round to slightly spherical, medium to large in size, with an average weight of 18.5g and a maximum exceeding 30g—slightly smaller than the Dongkui variety. The skin is glossy and dark purple to black, the flesh is thick, the juice abundant, and the taste sweet with a pleasant acidity and rich flavor. The soluble solids content is above 11.0%, reaching up to 14.0%, with about 1% acidity. The pit is slightly larger, the fruit adheres moderately to the seed, and the texture is firm, making it suitable for storage. The ripening period is mid-to-late June, approximately five days earlier than the Dongkui variety.

　　In 2001, during a survey of bayberry germplasm resources, forestry specialists in Xiangshan County discovered more than 100 large-fruited bayberry trees locally called “Black Purple Big Bayberry” scattered in Jiaotou Village, Xiaotang Township. Compared to other local “home bayberry” (charcoal bayberry) trees, these exhibited larger fruit, earlier ripening, and superior quality. This variety has since been promoted throughout the county, mainly in key production areas such as Xiaotang Township, Daxu Town, Sizhou Tou Town, and Xianxiang Town, though Xiaotang Township remains the primary hub. The Black Purple Bayberries of Jiaotou Village in Xiaotang Township are particularly notable for their “large, dark purple, and sweet” characteristics.