Suizhong White Pear

Suizhong White Pear

Suizhong White Pear is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　　　The white pear is a specialty of Suizhong, with a long cultivation history, high yield, excellent quality, and nationwide fame. The white pears of Suizhong originally came from the Yanshan Mountain range. As early as the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, residents from Shandong and Hebei migrated to the area and settled in the northwestern mountains. Later, as the mountain population increased, so did the number of cultivated pear trees, which developed from scattered plantings into large-scale orchards. To this day, there are still pear trees over 300 years old in the Qiuzigou area of northwestern Suizhong. The formation of the unique Suizhong White Pear variety is mainly due to two factors: natural conditions and human effort. The landform of Suizhong is characterized as “six parts mountains, one part water, and three parts fields.” The northwest region is mountainous, with loose soil, good drainage and ventilation, and suitable temperature and rainfall—ideal natural conditions for growing white pears. The local people of Suizhong have long been engaged in pear cultivation, continuously improving and selecting superior varieties, gradually developing an outstanding fruit variety with local characteristics. Suizhong White Pears are mostly oblong or nearly round in shape, with small calyx cavities, slender stems, golden-yellow skin with a waxy sheen, and an average single fruit weight of 125 grams, reaching up to 250 grams at maximum. The fruit has thin skin, thick flesh, small seeds, fine-textured flesh that is crisp and juicy, sweet and refreshing. The fruit contains various nutrients and can be eaten fresh or processed into dried fruit, canned goods, fruit wine, and fruit vinegar. According to records, the white pear also offers medicinal benefits such as promoting saliva production, quenching thirst, moistening the lungs, improving bowel function, strengthening the heart, and increasing urination. After the liberation, white pear production grew rapidly. In 1949, the county had 200,000 white pear trees, producing 5.8 million jin (approximately 2,900 tons) of pears annually. Over the years, the northwestern mountainous region and central hilly areas of Suizhong saw 17 townships become major white pear producers. By 1983, statistics showed the county had over 800,000 white pear trees covering more than 50,000 mu (approximately 3,333 hectares), with an annual yield exceeding 30,000 tons—the highest in the province. Suizhong White Pears are sold domestically in over 20 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, and are also exported abroad, with an annual export volume ranging between 6,000 and 12,000 tons. They are highly favored by consumers and enjoy great renown both in China and internationally. In 1994, efforts to develop fruit production emphasized improving fruit quality and orchard standards. Selective breeding of premium white pear strains was prioritized. Among the county’s 280 village-level standard orchards, 31 were rated as provincial or municipal advanced standard gardens. Fruit bases centered on apples, white pears, and acid fruits were established. In 1997, four varieties including Suizhong White Pear and Golden Flower Pear participated in the Fourth National Agricultural Expo and were recognized as national high-quality fruit products. The county was also designated by the state as a demonstration county for standardized fruit production and for industrialized fruit production.