Suizhong Kiwifruit

Suizhong Kiwifruit

　　Kiwifruit is the fruit of wild, deciduous, climbing fruit trees found in the mountainous areas of northwestern Suizhong. It is a premium product among local specialties. Commonly known as "tengzaozi" in Suizhong, kiwifruit has been identified by scientific research departments as soft kiwifruit. It is rich in nutrients, holds high economic value, and is suitable for fresh consumption as well as processing. In 1978, the dried fruit factory of Qiuzigou Commune began trial production of kiwifruit preserves. In 1981, Mingshui Commune started using kiwifruit to make wine, producing 60 tons of kiwifruit wine over two years, which was released to the market and well received by consumers. The canned food factory in Dawangmiao Township also produced a new type of kiwifruit-based beverage, which was sold to cities such as Dalian and Beijing. The county fruit wine factory produced a small kiwifruit champagne, which became a popular item sought after by consumers. Not only is kiwifruit highly nutritious, but it also offers significant medicinal benefits. It contains a variety of amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize, as well as multiple trace elements, and has an especially high vitamin C content—five to ten times that of citrus fruits. It also contains vitamin B and is known as the “king of fruits.” With its sweet and cool nature, it helps quench thirst, clear heat, regulate qi, strengthen the heart, stimulate saliva production to relieve irritability, dispel blood stasis, and stop bleeding. It has shown marked effectiveness in treating digestive issues, vomiting, and burns. Recent research in traditional Chinese medicine has also discovered that it may have certain therapeutic effects on leprosy and cancer. Every part of the kiwifruit plant is valuable—the uniquely shaped leaves can be used for garden greening, while the flowers and fruit can be used to extract fragrances. The roots, when boiled down, produce an extract with insecticidal properties. The fibers and bark from its branches serve as raw materials for dyeing, papermaking, chemical, and construction industries, and its leaves and flowers make excellent pig feed. The main production areas of Suizhong kiwifruit include Yong’anbao, Lijia’bao, Jiabeiyan, Qiuzigou, Wangjiadian, Mingshui, Fanjia, and Dawangmiao, totaling eight townships, with an annual yield of 500,000 jin. (Huludao)