Huili soft-seed pomegranate

Huili soft-seed pomegranate

　　In the Jiangzhou and Zhongxin areas near Huili (administered under Huili until 1952), there is extensive cultivation of pomegranates. The subtropical semi-humid climate at 26°N latitude—with abundant sunshine, high evaporation, concentrated rainfall, and distinct wet and dry seasons—along with sandy loam soil that drains well, and conditions such as scientific planting and rational fertilization, result in fruits that are large with thin skins, bright in color, plump seeds, soft texture, sweet taste, and juicy flesh.

　　Among various pomegranate varieties, the Qingpi (green-skinned) soft-seed pomegranate is recognized as a domestic “famous, high-quality, special, new, and rare” variety. It features large fruit, thin skin, bright color, abundant juice, soft seeds, high nutritional value, crystal-clear grains, and an intense honey-like sweetness. Typical fruits weigh between 400–500g, with extra-large ones reaching up to 1250g. The peel is 0.3–0.4cm thick, fresh in appearance, greenish-yellow with a pale reddish tint on the sun-exposed side, showing a rosy sheen. The seeds are dentate-shaped, watermelon-red, crystal clear, with an average weight of 0.55g per seed. According to analysis by Southwest Agricultural University: the edible portion reaches up to 55.7%, soluble solids content exceeds 15–17%, total sugar is 14.49g/100ml of juice, VC is about 5.97mg/100ml of juice, and it contains 11 types of free amino acids and 17 types of hydrolyzed amino acids.