Chrysanthemum Core Pomelo

Chrysanthemum Core Pomelo

　　 Produced in Hujiahe Village, Yongding District. It gets its name from the distinct radial groove-like indentations on the fruit’s base, which resemble an open chrysanthemum. The flesh is yellow tinged with red, soft, juicy, tender, crisp, and sweet, earning it the title "King of Pomelos." Legend has it that it was discovered and cultivated by ancestors of the Hu family. During the coronation celebration of Emperor Xuantong, when grand imperial fairs were held nationwide and a pomelo exhibition took place in the county town, the Chrysanthemum Core Pomelo won first place and joined the ranks of China’s famous pomelos. It was later listed as a tribute fruit. (Zhangjiajie)

　　The "Chrysanthemum Core" pomelo (originally named "Dayong Chrysanthemum Core Pomelo") is said to have originated and been cultivated naturally during the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu era. It is uniquely produced in Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, and is a rare local variety of sweet red-fleshed pomelo in China. The fruit is broadly oblate to slightly indented in shape, and it earned its name from the radial grooves at the base, which resemble the petals of a chrysanthemum.

　　There’s a saying in Zhangjiajie: "No water is better than that from Baisha Well (in Zhangjiajie), and no fruit is better than the 'Chrysanthemum Core.'" Alongside Maojian tea and rock ear fungus, the Chrysanthemum Core pomelo was once known as one of the "Three Treasures of Dayong." Legend has it that in the early years of the Republic of China, it even participated in the Paris International Exposition and was hailed as the "Pride of Domestic Products," enjoying considerable fame.

　　The flesh of the Chrysanthemum Core pomelo is deep red, crystal-clear, crisp, tender, richly flavored, easy to separate, pleasantly sweet and tangy, and highly nutritious. It is durable for storage and transport, and is considered an outstanding quality fruit. Since its introduction, it has always been praised as a treasure among pomelos, earning the natural title of “fruit can.” In 2007, the Zhangjiajie Chrysanthemum Core pomelo won the “Quality Award” in the city’s citrus evaluation.

　　The Chrysanthemum Core pomelo is a native variety. Thanks to its refreshing, delicious, sweet-with-a-hint-of-sour taste and its cooling properties, it is highly favored by locals. With the improvement in living standards, it is increasingly popular among both residents and tourists. To boost this fruit industry, Yongding District has established a specialized Chrysanthemum Core Pomelo Cooperative since 2009, responsible for technical training, establishing high-quality seed orchards and nursery bases, and providing technical guidance. Over the past three years, following a model of “Government + Research + Science & Technology Correspondents + Enterprises (Farmer Cooperatives) + Base + Farmers,” the district has promoted pollution-free production of the Chrysanthemum Core pomelo.

　　Production area of Yongding Chrysanthemum Core Pomelo: Zhangjiajie – Yongding District –