Jincheng Red Dates

Jincheng Red Dates

　　Jincheng Red Dates are a traditional and renowned fruit of Shanxi, and one of the country’s eight major production areas. They are mainly grown in Chenwei and Xiacun, two towns on the outskirts of Jincheng City. The hawthorns here come in two main varieties: one has a sweet-and-sour flavor, while the other is sweet without any sourness. Fenkou Hawthorn (Pink-mouth Hawthorn): The fruit is round, bright crimson on the sun-exposed side and red on the shaded side, with a glossy surface, large and sparse lenticels, and either purple or pink flesh that is fine-textured; the fruit has a distinctive and rich flavor. It averages 8–9 grams per fruit, with the largest reaching around 10 grams. It matures in mid-October, stores well, and is an excellent variety for hawthorn processing. Hongrou Hawthorn (Red-flesh Hawthorn): The fruit is round with a bright red color, a slightly rough skin, and some rust spots. The lenticels are small, grayish-brown, and the average fruit weighs about 5 grams. The flesh is blood-red or pinkish, soft in texture, and offers a unique flavor. It is a top-quality variety for making juice and jam.