Quanzhou Longan

Quanzhou Longan

　　In Quanzhou, fresh longan fruit is commonly called “dragon eye,” while dried dragon eye is referred to as longan. Merchants often refer to both as simply “longan.”

　　　　Dragon eye is a prized fruit—its flesh is tender, its color translucent, and its taste sweet, especially the Dongbi variety (named after the eastern wall of Quanzhou’s Kaiyuan Temple, where it was first planted).

　　　　Longan has the effects of stimulating appetite and benefiting the spleen, enriching blood and calming the nerves. It can help treat conditions such as anemia, forgetfulness, palpitations, and postpartum blood deficiency, making it an excellent tonic for new mothers.

　　　　Quanzhou is a major longan-producing region in Fujian Province. The city has over 110,000 mu of longan plantations, with annual production (varying between abundant and lean years) ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 tons. Its total area and yield rank first among all prefectures and cities in the province.

　　　　Besides being eaten fresh or dried into longan, the fruit can also be processed into longan pulp, canned longan in syrup, longan paste, and more. Quanzhou Canned Food Factory and some canned food producers in towns across Jinjiang, Nan’an, and Licheng District are engaged in its production and sales, with the products distributed nationwide and partially exported.