Prolonged Jin Pear

Prolonged Jin Pear

　　Prolonged Jin Pear is a specialty of Yanchang County, Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province. The Jin Pear gets its name from its large size, with an average weight of 400 grams and a maximum of up to 700 grams. It has an inverted oval shape, a bright golden-yellow color, thin skin, pure white flesh, fine texture, abundant juice, little core, high sugar content, and a sweet and delicious taste. Regular consumption is believed to promote longevity.

　　The pear is one of the specialties of Yanchang County and enjoys a good reputation both within and outside the province.

　　According to the "Yanchang County Annals," the most widely cultivated and renowned fruit in the county is the Jin Pear. The Jin Pear gets its name from its large size, with an average weight of 400 grams and a maximum of up to 700 grams. It has an inverted oval shape, a bright golden-yellow color, thin skin, pure white flesh, fine texture, abundant juice, little core, high sugar content, and a sweet and delicious taste. Regular consumption is believed to promote longevity. Particularly famous are the Jin Pears produced in Shifo Village, Luozishan Town.

　　Shifo Village has a long history of cultivating Jin Pears. Yanchang County has existed since the Qin and Han dynasties, spanning over two thousand years. Looking back at the three versions of the "Yanchang County Annals" compiled during the Qing Dynasty's Kangxi 53rd year (1714), Qianlong 27th year (1762), and the early Republican period—all of which have written records—each mentions the Jin Pears of Shifo Village.

　　Shifo Village is located in a remote area, less than 20 kilometers from Mataiguan on the Yellow River. The area features undulating, continuous mountain ranges stretching into the distance. The village is situated on a mountain ridge less than 1 kilometer long. In spring, pear blossoms bloom competitively, covering the landscape in white. When the spring breeze blows, petals dance above the village, filling the air with a sweet fragrance. In golden autumn, looking out at the pear orchards across the slopes and valleys, the layers of yellow-green hues are dazzlingly vibrant; up close, each pear tree is weighed down by bright yellow pears, filling the air with their aroma and making one’s mouth water. If you visit as a guest here, the hospitable villagers will cheerfully pick the biggest and best Jin Pears from the trees in their yards, place them before you to feast your eyes, and then let you enjoy them freely. Everyone who has been to Shifo Village praises the simplicity and kindness of the locals; anyone who has tasted the Jin Pear will agree that the trip to Yanchang County was well worth it.