Lanzhou Dongguo Pear

Lanzhou Dongguo Pear

　　The Dongguo pear, commonly known as "Xiyuan Pear," is grown in Shuimogou and Xiyuan area of Huazhaizi Township, Qilihe District, Lanzhou City. The best varieties come from the Xiyuan area, where it has been cultivated for hundreds of years. Thanks to the unique soil and water quality of Shuimogou, the Dongguo pear boasts tender flesh, thin skin, juicy texture, and a fragrantly pure taste, making it unique in China. The pears are harvested in September and can be stored until June of the following year without any change in color or flavor. They have medicinal benefits such as clearing the lungs, removing phlegm, relieving coughs, and dispelling cold. When eaten ripe, they are particularly effective for elderly asthma and bronchitis sufferers, enjoying great renown among fruits.

　　　With bright color, attractive shape, thin skin, fine flesh, and a balanced sweet-and-sour taste, the Dongguo pear can be stored for long periods and enjoys an established reputation, being sold well in both domestic and international markets. There are two sizes of Lanzhou Dongguo pears: the large variety is inverted-oval shaped, relatively big with an average weight of 320–500 grams. When ripe, the fruit turns golden yellow, with thicker and coarser skin, tender white flesh, abundant juice, crisp texture, strong flavor, and a moderate sweet-and-sour balance. It contains about 9% sugar. The small Dongguo pear is a variation that evolved from the buds of the large variety; it is round or oval-shaped, averaging 157.5 grams in weight. It has less juice than the large type and does not store as long, but it features thinner skin, finer flesh, and a sweeter taste. Because of its superior flavor, it has become one of the best local pear varieties in Gansu Province. The Lanzhou Dongguo pear is widely used in medicine and highly effective, offering benefits such as promoting saliva production, quenching thirst, clearing the heart and moistening the lungs, reducing irritability and promoting urination, clearing heat and detoxifying, soothing the throat and dissolving phlegm, and reducing inflammation and relieving coughs. If the core of the pear is scooped out and the fruit is filled with honey and rock sugar, then boiled, eating both the fruit and the syrup enhances its effects in relieving coughs, dispelling cold, clearing the lungs, and removing phlegm.