Pinglu Tuntun Jujube

Pinglu Tuntun Jujube

　　Tuntun Jujube is one of the famous jujube varieties in Shanxi. It gets its name from its short, wide fruit shape, which resembles the traditional rural grain storage bins.

　　　　Tuntun Jujube trees are relatively large, typically growing 6–8 meters tall. The trees have a compact structure, strong vigor, upright growth habit, and a flat, round canopy with thick branches. The fruits are large and short, shaped like short cylinders, with horizontal and vertical diameters measuring 3.2 × 3.4 cm. The horizontal diameter is larger than the vertical, and the average single fruit weighs about 18 grams, with some large varieties exceeding 30 grams. The fruits are uniform in size, light red in color, with thick flesh and small pits. The edible portion is over 96%. Fresh jujubes contain 21.3% sugar and 0.5% acid. The flesh is soft and has low juice content, making them suitable for drying and processing. The drying rate is over 53%, and the dried jujubes are large, thick-fleshed, resilient, and contain about 70% sugar.

　　 Also known as Round Jujube, its main production areas are in the western part of the county, around Hongchi and Changle. Villages such as Yuecun, Hucun, Liuzhan, Nanhou, Xizhang in Hongchi, and Shangjiao in Changle are concentrated production areas, with an annual output of about 500,000 kilograms.

　　　　Tuntun Jujubes are characterized by their large size, thick flesh, thin skin, small pit, deep color, delicious taste, and extremely high sugar content. They are highly nutritious and are often compared to longan. According to standard grading, dried jujubes usually weigh about 84 per kilogram. However, the specially selected extra-large ones, also called Mao tou jujubes, weigh around 76 per kilogram. Testing confirms that this variety is rich in protein, fat, sugars, organic acids, as well as calcium, iron, carotene, and vitamins B, C, and P. Each 100 grams of finished dried jujube contains 380–600 mg of vitamin C — ten times more than oranges, 60–70 times more than apples, and more than ten times more than pears. Its vitamin P content is also the highest among all fruits, earning it the nickname "natural vitamin pill." With a sugar content of over 80%, it is also used medicinally to replenish blood, stop bleeding, and treat hepatitis, allergic purpura, and low platelet count.

　　　　In recent years, Tuntun Jujubes have been processed not only into dried jujubes, candied jujubes, and wine-soaked jujubes, but also through a unique method called "frost jujube." This involves sealing dried jujubes in a ceramic jar in a dark place. After a year, a thick layer of white frost forms on the surface of the jujubes. The longer they are sealed, the thicker the frost becomes, and the higher their nutritional value. They are considered a delicacy among jujube products.

　　　　Tuntun Jujubes from Pinglu County are sold throughout China and are especially prized in southern regions. They are popular not only in major cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou, but have also entered the international market, being exported to Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, and Southeast Asia.