Jiande Chestnuts

Jiande Chestnuts

　　Chestnuts are one of the main forest specialty products in our city, grown in towns and villages across the area. Currently, there are 60,000 mu of chestnut orchards in the city, with 30,000 mu under cultivation, yielding over 1,300 tons annually. The main producing areas include Shouchang, Yao Village, and Xin'anjiang, among others, with Shouchang chestnuts being the most renowned for their large, plump kernels, glossy red hue, white and sweet flesh, and best quality overall. As a woody grain, chestnuts are highly nutritious. The fruit contains a large amount of carbohydrates, protein, and fat, roughly comparable to rice and wheat in nutritional content, and features fine texture and a high content of amylopectin. They can be eaten raw or cooked, roasted, or fried. Eaten raw, they are sweet, crisp, and refreshing—dried, their sweetness intensifies. When cooked, they can be used in dishes such as chicken or meat, lending a delicious, sweet flavor. Candied roasted chestnuts, meanwhile, are sweet, glutinous, and soft, offering a uniquely delightful taste.

(Jiande)