Mulberries in Huocheng

Mulberries in Huocheng

　　Compared to fruits like grapes, apples, peaches, and tree-dried apricots—which are widely cultivated and highly profitable—mulberries may not seem like a typical fruit to most people. However, mulberries are actually quite distinctive and offer numerous health benefits.

　　Huocheng County is one of the main areas where mulberries are cultivated, typically ripening by the end of May, making them among the earliest fruits to mature in Ili. They are known as the “harbinger of spring fruits” among local produce. The mulberries grown in Huocheng mainly come in three varieties: white, purple-black, and dark red. White mulberries are large, semi-transparent when ripe, richly oily, high in sugar, and delightfully sweet. Purple-black mulberries are tangy and refreshing, while dark red mulberries are from the locally unique Tartar mulberry variety, also offering an excellent flavor.

　　The Uyghur people enjoy planting mulberry trees, which can be found around their homes, villages, and even in large groves or mulberry orchards. These lush mulberry woodlands are a common sight throughout Huocheng County.

　　Mulberries are a pure, natural, green food that is highly nutritious. The fruit contains rich active proteins, vitamins, amino acids, carotene, minerals, resveratrol, anthocyanins, vitamin B1, B2, C, and other components. Its nutritional value is 5–6 times that of apples and 4 times that of grapes.

　　Mulberries are also used in traditional Chinese medicine. Cool in nature and sweet in taste, mulberries help enrich the blood, promote circulation, nourish yin and yang, stimulate saliva production, relieve thirst, and moisten the intestines. They are primarily used to treat dizziness, tinnitus, palpitations, irritability, insomnia, soreness in the lower back and knees, premature greying of hair, excessive thirst and dry mouth, and constipation caused by yin and blood deficiency. Clinically, they are applied to prevent arteriosclerosis, support digestion, strengthen the spleen, supplement nutrition, nourish the hair, improve beauty, and help prevent and fight cancer.

　　Mulberries are an important ingredient in many treatments for asthenozoospermia. Men who consume more mulberries can effectively prevent the decline in sperm quality and improve conditions related to “reproductive subhealth.”

　　Mulberries are hailed by the medical community as the “best health fruit of the 21st century.” Regular consumption of mulberries can significantly boost the immune system, delay aging, and enhance beauty and skin health.

　　Mulberries can be used to make wine, porridge, soup, or jam. Mulberry glutinous rice porridge nourishes the liver and kidneys, enriches the blood, and improves eyesight. Mulberry jam made with honey nourishes yin and enriches the blood. Mulberry juice mixed with rock sugar helps treat dry stools caused by insufficient intestinal fluids. Blending mulberry juice with milk or yogurt not only tastes great but also enriches the blood and beautifies the skin. However, because mulberries are slightly cold in nature, those with weak or cold spleens and stomachs or loose stools should avoid eating them.