Qingyun Golden Silk Jujube

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Golden Silk Jujube is one of Qingyun’s traditional specialties. Its cultivation began in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, flourished during the Wei and Jin periods, reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and has been revitalized in modern times. A jujube tree over 1,400 years old located in Zhouyin Village still boasts lush green leaves and bright red fruits; around Zhouyin, Chengjia, Bianjia, Dengjia, Yaojia, and Fangzi Villages, there are nearly a thousand ancient jujube trees that are several hundred years old. Through thousands of years of cultivation and selection, more than 30 varieties of jujubes have been developed in the region. Especially in recent years, the county forestry bureau, in cooperation with the provincial fruit research institute, successfully developed new varieties of Golden Silk Jujube—Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4—which are notable for their large size, thin skin, high sugar content, no need to split the fruit open, and resistance to cracking. These varieties are highly favored by domestic and international merchants, and the county has established the largest collection nursery for new Golden Silk Jujube varieties in the country. The quality of Golden Silk Jujube is excellent. Fresh jujubes have thin, tender skin, thick flesh, small seeds, bright color, and a sweet, crisp, and juicy taste. When dried halfway, if you break one open, golden, silky fibers shine brightly and can be stretched an inch or two without breaking. The sugar content of Golden Silk Jujube reaches as high as 64.4–69.2%, and it contains 18 amino acids essential to the human body. Each 100 grams of fresh jujube provides 380–600 milligrams of Vitamin C, along with iron and trace amounts of carotene, making it extremely nutritious. It is a precious food for enriching blood, beautifying the complexion, and promoting longevity. According to old county records from the Qing Dynasty, jujubes were a major export product of the region. South of Yuanyang Bridge on the ancient Majia River, dense jujube orchards attracted numerous jujube merchants and served as the distribution hub for Qingyun’s jujubes. Business was booming, shops were plentiful, and the village of Xinglongdian derived its name from this prosperity. In recent years, the county Party committee and government have listed Golden Silk Jujube production as one of the county’s three leading industries. In 1993, they set the development goal of “striving for three years to turn Qingyun into a land of jujube orchards.” Through the joint efforts of officials and residents, the county achieved a historic breakthrough in jujube production. The per capita ownership of jujube trees reached 40, making Qingyun the first jujube orchard county in the nation. In terms of jujube product development and processing, traditional products include jujube cake, jujube flower rolls, jujube steamed buns, jujube zongzi, jujube honey rice, eight-treasure porridge, jujube pastries, as well as nearly 20 other varieties such as drunken jujubes, crispy jujubes, toothsome jujubes, smoked jujubes, and jujube tea. In addition to being consumed by jujube farmers themselves or given as gifts to relatives and friends, these products sometimes appear on the market. After the reform and opening-up in the 1980s, the series processing of jujube products was further developed. Especially in the competitive environment of the socialist market economy, jujube products have become a renowned local specialty.