Shuidong Honey Dates

Shuidong Honey Dates

　　Shuidong honey dates are a premium candied and dried delicacy made from green jujubes grown in Shuidong Town. These dates are flat in shape, crystal-clear and transparent, with fine golden threads running through them and a color resembling amber—hence they are also known as “Golden Thread Amber Dates.” Shuidong honey dates are classified into five grades, among which the specially made “Tianxiang Seedless Honey Dates” are the most prestigious. Their “Golden Thread Amber Dates” are not only popular in the domestic market but are also exported to over 40 countries and regions in Southeast Asia, Europe, and America.

　　The renowned product hailed as the "Golden Thread Amber"—Shuidong honey dates—delights with its fragrance that wafts for miles.

　　Shuidong honey dates are a premium candied and dried delicacy made from green jujubes grown in Shuidong Town, Xuancheng, and are one of the famous specialty fruits of Anhui Province.

　　They feature an amber-like hue, a transparent texture, and uniformly sized pieces, offering a unique flavor with an elegant jujube aroma, sweet taste, and a satisfyingly crisp yet tender texture that melts in your mouth after just a light chew. Shuidong honey dates are categorized by size and weight into Tianxiang (special grade), Tianyuan (first grade), Tiding (second grade), and Chaodan (third grade).

　　Shuidong honey dates are graded by size and weight into Tianxiang (special grade), Tianyuan (first grade), Tiding (second grade), and Chaodan (third grade).

　　Tiding (second grade), and Chaodan (third grade).

　　Shuidong Town is a millennia-old ancient town and also a well-known jujube-growing region. The town boasts vast jujube orchards, producing over 5 million kilograms of green jujubes annually. Thanks to its unique geography and climate, the quality of the jujubes is exceptionally high. The Shuidong honey dates processed from these jujubes have a history of over 300 years. With nearly every household having jujube orchards and making honey dates, the centuries-old processing techniques passed down through generations have earned Shuidong honey dates a solid reputation.

　　The production process of Shuidong honey dates is highly meticulous. Around the Limit of Heat period each year, when the green jujubes turn white and ripen, the jujube processing plants begin their busy season. After harvesting, the green jujubes go through ten steps: sorting, cutting, trimming, washing, sugar boiling, slurry curing, light drying, pressing, final drying, and selection. The early Qing Dynasty poet Shi Runzhang vividly depicted the jujube-making scene in his poem “Cutting Jujubes”: “With tender care, I cut jujubes to send afar, layer upon layer stirring a thousand thoughts.”

　　With centuries of craftsmanship, Shuidong honey dates have developed a unique traditional character and flavor. Historically, based on production methods and size, Shuidong honey dates were divided into seven grades: the top grade called “Tianxiang,” which is seedless and filled, offering exceptional taste, followed by Tianyuan, Tiding, Chaodan, Dingmian, Damian, and Danmian. The finished honey dates are amber-colored, shiny golden, with clear distinction between pit and flesh, strong transparency, flat appearance, uniform size, fragrant aroma, and a soft, delicious taste. Due to their superior quality, they were once listed as tribute items.

　　Modern scientific analysis shows that Shuidong honey dates contain 18 trace elements, 20 amino acids, and abundant vitamins, making them a rare fruit delicacy. They help enhance the body’s immune function, delay aging, and offer certain benefits in treating high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis.