Mayang Thorny Grapes

Mayang Thorny Grapes

　　Mayang Thorny Grapes, belonging to the East Asian grape variety group, are mainly distributed in the mountainous uplands of Mayang. They have been cultivated in Mayang for over 100 years. Through years of continuous selection and breeding, a local variety has been developed that is well-suited to the region’s conditions and demonstrates both excellent quality and high yield.

　　Mayang Thorny Grapes are highly resistant to adversity and exhibit strong productivity, typically yielding around 2,000 kilograms per mu, with some reaching as high as 4,000–5,000 kilograms. The grape bunches are conical in shape, with medium-sized, round berries that have a deep purple-black skin. When harvested later, the berries develop a frosty white bloom on the surface, giving them an attractive, fresh appearance. The flesh is of premium quality, rich, dense, sweet, and delicious. The sugar content of the fruit exceeds 14%, and can go as high as 18%. Through selenium-enriched cultivation, the total sugar content can even reach 25.8%. These grapes are rich in vitamins and minerals—each 100 grams contains 36 milligrams of vitamin C, and each kilogram offers 908 milligrams of potassium, 1.28 milligrams of iron, and 3.5 milligrams of manganese. Thorny Grapes also have a strong capacity to absorb and convert selenium; through selenium supplementation, their selenium content increases from 9.7 micrograms per kilogram to 170 micrograms, a rise of 1,752.8%, greatly enhancing their nutritional value and premium appeal. The vines of Mayang Thorny Grapes are covered in thorns, which is how they got their name. The grapes ripen in mid-to-late September. The vines are vigorous, disease-resistant, and well-suited for cultivation in cool mountainous areas, particularly at elevations around 500 meters.

　　Thanks to their superior quality, strong market demand, high yield, resilience, ease of cultivation, and ability to produce abundant harvests, Mayang Thorny Grapes are now grown across more than 4,000 mu of land in the county. The region has also seen the emergence of major growers and key base towns. For example, Teng Shuhai from Wenchangge Township cultivates 5 mu of the grapes, earning a stable annual income of over 20,000 yuan. The Party committee and government of Daqiaojiang Township mobilized the local population to plant Thorny Grapes, bringing the total area under cultivation to 2,000 mu.

　　Mayang Thorny Grapes have gradually become one of the brightest jewels in the vineyards of East Asia.