Tong'an Pineapple Spike

Tong'an Pineapple Spike

Tong'an Pineapple Spike is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Tong'an "Pineapple Spike" longan is a famous fruit from Tong'an District, Xiamen City. It originated in Mayan Natural Village, Xitang Village, Xinmin Town, Tong'an District, Xiamen City, with a cultivation history of over 100 years. It was discovered during the district-wide longan variety resource survey conducted by the Tong'an District Agricultural Technology Extension Center in 1980 and has since been developed and expanded. [1]

　　Commonly known as "longan," this fruit is a renowned subtropical specialty in southern China. Historically, southern "longan" was referred to as the "ginseng of the north." Longan fruits are rich in nutrients and have been cherished since ancient times, often regarded as a precious tonic, with their nourishing properties being evident.

　　 The "Pineapple Spike" longan variety boasts excellent traits such as resistance to "flushing shoots," high and stable yields, superior fruit quality, and slow sugar reduction in ripe fruits. Combined with the high-grafting technique used in Tong'an District, the "Pineapple Spike" longan has been widely promoted and cultivated. By 2012, the planting area had reached 36,000 mu, making it the dominant longan variety in Tong'an District. [1] The breeding and promotion of "Pineapple Spike" longan have accelerated the improvement of longan varieties, enhanced the quality of longan products

　　improved farmers' incomes, and fostered and driven the development of a distinctive longan industry, yielding significant economic and social benefits.

　　 Edible Value The Ming Dynasty’s Li Shizhen once praised longan as “the best for nourishment.” Analysis shows that the flesh contains 12.38–22.55% total sugar, 3.85–10.16% reducing sugar, 0.096–0.109% total acid, 43.12–163.7 mg of vitamin C per 100g of flesh, and 96.5 mg of VK per 100g of flesh. In addition to being eaten fresh, longan can also be processed into dried fruit, canned goods, syrups, and more. Longan has various health benefits, including boosting vitality, tonifying qi, nourishing the heart and spleen, enriching blood, calming the nerves, and beautifying the skin. It can treat anemia, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, neurasthenia, and physical weakness after illness or childbirth. Modern medical practice has also proven that it has anti-aging and longevity-enhancing effects. [2]

　　Longan is quite particular about its growing environment. There are limited regions in the world suitable for cultivating longan, generally in subtropical areas with mild climates and no severe frost. As a result, longan has long been known as a premium fruit of Lingnan. Being both edible and medicinal, it is in high demand in the market.

　　Tong'an "Pineapple Spike" longan, with its thick, translucent flesh, soft texture, small seed, bright red color, sweet taste, minimal residue, and dual use as both medicine and tea snack, has won the deep affection of a wide range of consumers. [3]

　　 Efficacy and Functions

　　Longan is highly effective in treating conditions such as deficiency fatigue, insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations, anxiety, and dizziness caused by heart weakness. Additionally, longan has anti-aging effects because it inhibits the activity of an enzyme in the human body that causes aging. Coupled with its rich content of protein, vitamins, and minerals, regular consumption can "make one light-bodied and ageless." Longan can also tonify qi and enrich blood, making it an excellent remedy for neurasthenia, menopausal women’s irritability and sweating, and cognitive decline. It is a great brain-boosting food. For postpartum women experiencing physical weakness or anemia due to malnutrition, eating longan is a good choice. [2]

　　Indications

　　It treats pathogenic qi of the five viscera, loss of appetite, poor digestion, intestinal parasites, and blood flukes. Long-term consumption strengthens the body, extends life, calms the nerves, improves intelligence, stimulates appetite, strengthens the spleen, and replenishes physical weakness. Eating fresh longan boiled in hot water does not harm the spleen. Li Shizhen said: “Among foods, lychee is the most prized, but for strengthening the body and mind, longan is the best. Because lychee is hot in nature, while longan is mild. It can treat excessive worry that damages the heart and spleen.” [4]

　　 Quality Identification (1) High-quality longan features large, thick flesh, a round and even shape, typically around 3 cm in diameter, with white, soft, transparent or semi-transparent flesh and a sweet taste. The joy of a Pineapple Spike harvest

　　(2) Press the fruit between three fingers: if the shell is hard, the fruit is underripe; if it feels soft and elastic, it is ripe; if it is soft and lacks elasticity, it is overripe and about to spoil. [5]

　　(3) When peeling longan by hand, those with easily separable flesh and seed, soft and moist flesh that doesn’t stick to the hands are of better quality; if the flesh and seed are hard to separate, the flesh is dry and hard, or the seed is reddish, the quality is poor.

　　(4) If there are white spots on the longan shell or stem end, it indicates the flesh has started to mold; a few white mold spots on the shell mean slight mold; many white mold spots indicate heavy mold, and the fruit should not be consumed.

　　(5) When poured onto a table, high-quality longan, with its high sugar content, has the shell, flesh, and seed connected, making it less likely to roll on a flat surface; lower-quality longan rolls easily. [5]

　　 Awards and Recognition Tong'an Pineapple Spike longan [6] was discovered by the Tong'an District Agricultural Technology Extension Center during the district-wide longan variety resource survey in 1980. It originated in Mayan Natural Village, Xitang Village, Xinmin Town, Tong'an District, Xiamen City. In 2007, it passed the Fujian Province variety certification, in 2010, it passed the Xiamen City scientific and technological achievement appraisal. In 2011, the project won the Xiamen City Science and Technology Progress Second Prize.

　　Tong'an Pineapple Spike

　　 Xiamen Tong'an District Rural Brokers Association

　　 10852973

　　 Dried Longan