Luogang Bayberries

Luogang Bayberries

　　Luogang Bayberries

　　Luogang is located in the eastern suburbs of Guangzhou, surrounded by mountains on all sides. The area dedicated to bayberry cultivation spans over 2,000 acres, with a total annual yield of nearly 1,600 tons and an overall output value of about 16 million yuan. It’s fair to say that bayberries are one of Luogang’s pillar industries and a major driver of economic growth.

　　The cultivation of bayberries in Luogang enjoys exceptionally favorable “timing and location.” Summers are not excessively hot, the climate is warm and moist, temperatures are moderate, and rainfall is abundant. Coupled with the gentle streams flowing down the mountains, during the bayberry growing season, the hills are often shrouded in mist, which nourishes the bayberry orchards. The mountain soil is fertile, with a balanced pH level, meeting the non-biological needs of bayberry trees. As such, nature has generously bestowed upon Luogang an ideal climate for growing bayberries. Most of Luogang’s bayberries are concentrated around Luofeng. Thanks to long-standing cultivation history, most of the bayberry trees have a trunk circumference of 1.68 meters, a height of 4.6 meters, and a spread of about 9–10 meters. The bayberries grown in Luogang are notably large, typically weighing between 10–16 grams per fruit, with some reaching up to around 24 grams. Before ripening, the fruits are red, but when fully mature, they turn deep purple or almost blackish-green. When picked with the stem attached, the green stems contrast beautifully with the rich burgundy of the fruit, making them visually appealing. Luogang bayberries have thick flesh, blunt and tender pulp, are juicy and sweet, with small seeds. The fruit has a sugar content of up to 12–18%, acidity of 1.2–3.2%, and is rich in vitamins, offering high nutritional value. They are believed to have therapeutic effects such as soothing coughs, moistening the lungs, aiding digestion, stimulating appetite, and more, earning them nicknames like “Red Fruit with Green Stems” and “The Agate of Fruits.” As a result, Luogang bayberries are widely renowned, popular in the fruit market, considered a treasured variety among the many fruits, and highly favored by consumers.