Shuai Li

Shuai Li

　　Shuai Li, also known as Chuanzi, is a premium variety within the Prunus genus. It ripens early, typically in early July, and produces large fruits with an average weight of 80–90 grams per fruit. The shape is nearly round, the skin color is vivid, with a yellow-green base and purplish-red on the sun-exposed side. The flesh is pale yellow-green, fine-textured, sweet and sour in taste, and has a rich, fragrant aroma. The quality is exceptionally high. Those officially designated as this variety have the character “Shuai” (meaning “outstanding”) added before “Li” (plum), thus called Shuai Li — the king of plums.

　　 Shuai Li originated in the mountainous regions of northwestern Yishui County and has a long cultivation history. This variety has an open tree canopy, is easy to flower, drought-resistant, and tolerant of poor soils, with a high fruit-setting rate. Because the fruits grow in clusters along the fruiting branches, locals vividly call them “Chuanzi” (meaning “strings”). In the 1980s, there were only about 300 mature fruit-bearing trees remaining, yielding approximately 10,000 kilograms per year. By the 1990s, through careful selection and promotion by agricultural authorities, the planted area expanded to over 1,000 acres, with an annual production of 800,000 kilograms.