Lingtao

Lingtao

　　【Lingtao】 A specialty of Linqing Baita Kiln, commonly known as “flat peach.” This fruit has a slightly indented top and is flat-round in shape, weighing 200–250 grams per piece.

　　When ripe, the flat peach turns white with a red tint. By pricking a small hole, one can suck out all the juice with their mouth. This peach comes in three varieties: “May Fresh,” “Thin-Skinned,” and “Autumn

　　Festival.” The “May Fresh” variety hits the market in the fifth lunar month; the “Thin-Skinned” ripens in the seventh lunar month and tastes slightly better than the other two; the “Autumn

　　Festival” variety is slightly larger, ripening in the eighth lunar month, making it a popular offering during the Mid-Autumn Festival and an excellent gift for family and friends.

　　 During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, while cruising south along the Grand Canal, he passed through Linqing three times. It is said that when his boat approached the area near Baita Kiln in the southwest of Linqing City, the sight of the peach orchards laden with fruit on the riverbank captivated him. He thus stopped to go ashore and taste the peaches. Indeed, their quality and flavor were exquisite, prompting him to praise them repeatedly.

　　Afterward, Lingtao was designated as an imperial tribute. Later, due to multiple breaches of the Yellow River, the number of peach trees gradually declined, and with the cessation of canal transport, the tribute peaches were not delivered after

　　the Guangxu era, when the practice was finally discontinued.

　　the Guangxu era, when the practice was finally discontinued.