Guanyang Honey Dates

Guanyang Honey Dates

　　   Guanyang honey dates are one of the county’s major specialties. Trial production began in 1959. In 1972, the county established a honey date processing factory and started mass production. By 1990, there were over 30 honey date factories in the county—run by the county government, townships, joint households, and private individuals—producing a total of 1,010 tons.

　　   Guanyang honey dates are made from Guanyang long jujubes and high-quality white sugar. The production process is meticulous: selected jujubes are first scored with vertical lines using a needle roller, then boiled in a pot of water. After cooking, the jujubes are removed and rinsed in clean water for 1 to 1.5 hours. They are then simmered in a sugar syrup, with frequent gentle stirring to prevent burning. Once the jujubes become translucent and the pits are visible, they are taken out and cooled on a sieve for 2 to 3 hours. They are then shaped into flat-bottomed, evenly tapered forms resembling saddles and arranged on trays. After 2 to 3 days of sun-drying or baking, the dates are sorted and packaged.

　　   Guanyang honey dates are renowned for their saddle-like shape, intact pieces, dry yet glossy texture, slight sugar glaze, brownish-red color, crystal clarity, sweet and delicious taste that is never cloying, and the fresh flavor of jujubes. They are considered a premium product among preserved fruits and are highly favored both domestically and internationally. From 1978 to 1979, they were rated as the best product for two consecutive years by the Guangxi Branch of China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Import and Export Corporation, and were exported to the United States, Canada, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong. They are a major export product of the county. According to statistics, from 1972 to 1990, the county produced a total of 9,950 tons of honey dates, of which 2,545 tons were exported by foreign trade departments, earning foreign exchange of $1.9075 million.