Huaqiao Chestnuts

Huaqiao Chestnuts

　　Huaqiao Chestnuts originate from Huaqiao Administrative District, Chaiensi Town, Xiangtan County, Hunan Province, and are one of the major local specialties of Hunan.

　　Chestnuts have long been known as the “King of Nuts” and are referred to as “ginseng fruit” abroad. They are first mentioned in the ancient text *The Book of Songs*, indicating that chestnut cultivation in China dates back at least 2,500 years. Scientific experiments have confirmed that chestnuts are highly nutritious, with their fruit containing up to 70.1% sugar and starch, and 7% protein. In addition, they contain fats, calcium, phosphorus, iron, various vitamins, and trace elements—especially higher levels of vitamin C, B1, and carotene compared to other common nuts. Chestnuts are rich in nutrients; aside from abundant starch, they also provide monosaccharides and disaccharides, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, protein, fat, and inorganic salts. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that chestnuts can nourish kidney and spleen functions, strengthen the body, benefit the stomach, and soothe the liver, thus earning them the title “fruit of the kidney.” As recorded in *The Dietary Materia Medica*, “Grind them and mix with honey to apply on the face to smooth wrinkles.” See? They even have beautifying effects. The unsaturated fatty acids found in chestnuts also help prevent diseases such as arteriosclerosis.