Yantai Big Cherries

Yantai Big Cherries

Yantai Big Cherries are a geographical indication protected product.

Yantai Big Cherries are a geographical indication certification trademark.

Yantai Big Cherries are an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Yantai Big Cherries

　　Renowned as the “First Spring Fruit of the North,” Yantai Big Cherries are celebrated for their luscious, glistening appearance, sweet and delicious taste, rich nutrition, and absence of pesticide residues. They are hailed as “treasures among fruits” and “the king of fruits,” boasting high nutritional and commercial value. Tests show that every 100 grams of fresh Yantai Big Cherries contain 17.1 grams of sugar, 1.6 grams of protein, 0.3 grams of fat, 25 milligrams each of calcium and phosphorus, 1.4 milligrams of iron, as well as various vitamins. The fruit has a sweet and warm nature, aiding in regulating the spleen and improving digestion. It is effective in promoting blood circulation, soothing the liver, reducing heat, and stimulating the regeneration of hemoglobin. It offers auxiliary therapeutic benefits for anemia patients, elderly people with osteoporosis, children with calcium or iron deficiencies, and is highly favored by consumers. Yantai Big Cherries are also genuinely green food because they mature early—typically harvested and marketed in mid-to-late May each year. At this time, in late spring to early summer, many insects have not yet become active, eliminating the need for pesticides and thus avoiding potential fruit contamination. Currently, Zhifu District cultivates over 70 varieties of Yantai Big Cherries, with products sold across major and medium-sized cities nationwide. These cherries have repeatedly won titles such as “Famous Brand Product” and “Premium Product” at various editions of the China International Agricultural Fair, China Fruit and Vegetable Processing Seminar, and APEC Fruit and Vegetable Processing Seminar. Over 20 varieties have been awarded national gold, silver, and bronze medals.

　　 【Yantai Big Cherries】 The main production areas are Fushan and Zhifu districts of Yantai City, which feature a warm temperate East Asian monsoon continental climate with distinct seasons.

　　The area enjoys four distinct seasons, warm winters and cool summers, with an average annual temperature of 12.5°C and average annual precipitation of 737 mm, providing an exceptionally favorable microclimate for growing big cherries.

　　 Yantai Big Cherries are divided into three color series—red, yellow, and purple—and two flesh types—firm and soft. Major varieties include Zaoyi, Dayi, Nawan, Shuijing, Jixin, and Hongfeng, among which Dayi, Nawan, and Jixin are the three most widely cultivated. Dayi cherries, also known as Dayezi or Dahongpao, have deep purplish-red, wide-heart-shaped fruits with soft flesh and thin skin. They weigh an average of 6 grams per fruit and contain about 18% sugar. They hit the market in mid-to-late May and are known as the “First Spring Fruit of the North.” Nawan cherries, also called yellow cherries, have tender yellow skins tinged with a hint of red, and firm, crisp flesh. They weigh an average of 7 grams per fruit, up to over 10 grams for the largest, and come to market in mid-June, with about 14% sugar content. Jixin cherries, also known as purple cherries, are heart-shaped with deep purple color. They weigh an average of 4–5 grams per fruit and ripen in mid-to-late June. Their flesh is soft, fibrous, juicy, and has a mildly sweet and sour taste.

　　Xin, Hongfeng, and others, among which Dazi, Naweng, and Jixin are the three most widely cultivated varieties. The Dazi cherry, also known as Dayezi or Dahongpao, has fruit that is

　　purple-red, wide-heart shaped, with soft flesh and thin skin. It averages 6 grams per fruit and contains about 18% sugar. It hits the market in mid-to-late May and is hailed as the “First Spring Fruit of the North.”

　　The Naweng cherry, also called the yellow cherry, features tender yellow skin tinged with blushes of red. Its flesh is firm and crisp. It averages 7 grams per fruit, with the largest weighing over 10 grams. It comes to market in mid-June and contains about 14% sugar.

　　The Jixin cherry, also known as the purple cherry, is heart-shaped and deep purple. It averages 4–5 grams per fruit and ripens in mid-to-late June. The fruit is soft, fibrous, juicy, and has a sweet with slightly sour taste.

　　The fruit weighs 4–5 grams and ripens in mid to late June. The fruit is soft, fibrous, juicy, and has a sweet yet slightly acidic taste.

　　 Big cherries are a fruit with high nutritional value. They rank first among fruits in iron content, and their vitamin C level is 7.4 times higher than that of apples, offering certain benefits for lowering blood lipids and blood pressure. Big cherries are excellent for fresh consumption and also serve as premium raw materials for processing canned goods, fruit syrups, dried fruits, and fine wines.

　　Big cherry canned products enjoy high prestige in both domestic and international markets and are in high demand.

　　Big cherry trees have tall canopies, smooth branches, abundant flowers, and large leaves, making them easy to cultivate. They can be planted not only on plains and foothills but also in rural areas, factories, mines, government offices, schools, and around homes and courtyards. In spring, when they bloom, their red, yellow, purple, or purplish-red and purplish-black blossoms emit waves of fragrant aroma that refresh the senses. In late spring and early summer, bright red cherries dot the green leaves like strings of agates and pearls—glossy, watery, and highly charming. Therefore, big cherry trees are also an excellent species for beautifying the environment.

　　 China has a history of over 3,000 years in cherry cultivation, and the introduction of big cherries dates back more than 100 years. In 1870, fruit farmers from Zhujia Village, Huangwu Town, former Fushan County, introduced the big cherry variety Dayi from American sailors. Later, overseas Chinese brought in other varieties, which were cultivated and propagated in areas such as Beishangfang, Zhishui, Shaorui Kou, and Zibu. Now, all ten towns in the district grow big cherries, with Douyu Town being the most prominent.

　　The geographical indication protection scope of Yantai Big Cherries is based on the range proposed in the “Letter Regarding the Application for the Protection Object of Yantai Big Cherries as a Geographical Indication Product” (Yan Zheng Han [2006] No. 44) issued by Yantai City, Shandong Province, covering the entire current administrative region of Yantai City, Shandong Province.

　　Its blossoms emit waves of fragrance, refreshing the heart and soul; in late spring and early summer, the green leaves are dotted with bright red cherries, like strings of agates and pearls—glistening and translucent, exuding great charm.

　　Thus, the sweet cherry tree is also an excellent species for beautifying the environment.

　　 China has a history of cultivating cherries for over 3,000 years, and the introduction of sweet cherries dates back more than 100 years. In 1870, fruit farmers in Zhujia Village, Huangwu Town, Fushan County, introduced the Dazi variety of sweet cherry from American sailors, and later other varieties were brought in by overseas Chinese. These were then cultivated and propagated in areas such as Beishangfang, Zhishui, Shaorui Kou, and Zibu.

　　Now, all ten towns in the district grow sweet cherries, with Douyu Town being the most prominent.

　　The geographical indication product protection area for Yantai Sweet Cherries is based on the scope proposed in the “Letter Regarding the Application for the Protection Object of Yantai Sweet Cherry Geographical Indication Products” (Yan Zheng Han [2006] No. 44) issued by Yantai City, Shandong Province, covering the entire current administrative region of Yantai City, Shandong Province.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Yantai Big Cherries is defined according to the scope proposed in the "Letter Regarding the Application for the Protected Geographical Indication Product of Yantai Big Cherries" (Yan Zheng Han [2006] No. 44) issued by Yantai City, Shandong Province, covering the current administrative region under the jurisdiction of Yantai City, Shandong Province.