Lintong Huojing Persimmons

Lintong Huojing Persimmons

Lintong Huojing Persimmons are a protected geographical indication product.

　　Lintong Huojing Persimmons are among the finest of their kind. They are flat-round in shape, with a bright crimson skin that is thin and seedless. The surface is fine and smooth, and the deep red flesh is sweet and delicious. They can also be processed into persimmon leaf tea and persimmon cakes. (Xi’an)

　　Lintong is known for its Huojing Persimmons, about the size of oranges, ripening in October. Fiery red and crystal-bright, their skins are as thin as paper, and juice oozes out at the slightest touch of a fingernail. The flesh is fine-grained and lacks the hard pit typical of northern persimmons. Though these persimmons can be spotted across the Guanzhong region, turning the landscape into a sea of fiery clouds when in season, they are most abundant and flavorful in Lintong.

　　But due to their limited season and difficulty in transport, persimmon cakes were created. The local method involves peeling ripe persimmons, removing the stems, and mashing them in a basin into a paste, then mixing in flour to form a persimmon batter. An iron mold with a concave handle, raised center, and two-centimeter-high edges is used. The batter is spread into the mold with a spatula, which is then lowered into hot oil. When half-cooked, the mold is removed so the cake can float free and be flipped to cook the other side. Once both sides are evenly golden, it’s ready to eat. Xi’an’s Hui people also make persimmon cakes, often preparing them on-site and adding ingredients like osmanthus, rose petals, and candied fruits, enhancing the flavor even further.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Lintong Huojing Persimmons is defined according to the “Letter Requesting the Delineation of the Protected Geographical Indication Area for Lintong Huojing Persimmons” (Lin Zheng Han [2007] No. 7) issued by the People’s Government of Lintong District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. This includes the administrative regions of Lishan Subdistrict, Xiekou Subdistrict, Daiwang Subdistrict, Qinling Subdistrict, Mayue Subdistrict, Tuqiao Township, Tielu Township, Xiaojin Township, Muzhai Township, and Liuzhai Village, Hongmen Village, Pozhang Village, Wanli Village, Yanshang Village, and Changtiao Village in Xinfeng Subdistrict, as well as Sanfu Village, Dazhai Village, and Lingkou Village in Lingkou Subdistrict, all under the jurisdiction of Lintong District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province.