Zixing Bayberries

Last updated 2026-11-09 — Zixing Specialty – Bayberries Zixing’s mountainous regions are rich in bayberry trees, but those found in Jiushi, Longxi, and Tian’eshan are considered to be of the highest quality. Among the varieties, “glutinous rice bayberry” is regarded as the finest, known for its large size, small seed, deep purple-black color when ripe, and sweet, juicy flesh. Zixing bayberries have a long history, are large in size, dark in color, fragrant, and sweet. Moreover, once picked, they have a much longer shelf life than ordinary bayberries, making them an outstanding local variety in Hunan Province. The bayberries come in several colors including deep purple-black, purplish-red, and white. “By the Summer Solstice, the hills are red with bayberries,” meaning the bayberry harvest peaks around the Summer Solstice. Bayberries are highly nutritious and also offer medicinal benefits. When soaked in liquor, they are called “bayberry liquor.” A few sips on a hot summer day can help cool the body, stimulate the appetite, and bring a refreshing sense of well-being. With so many benefits, even Su Dongpo praised them, saying, “The lychees of Fujian and Guangdong, the grapes of the Western Regions — none compare to the bayberries of Wu and Yue.”