Hongcun Jujubes

Hongcun Jujubes

　　　    Hongcun jujubes, a specialty of Daxing District, are also known as "Hongcun Crisp Jujubes" or "Tribute Jujubes," named after their origin in Hongcun, Huangcun Town. They are large with thin skins, small pits, and juicy, tender flesh. The fruit is cylindrical in shape with reddish-brown skin. Each jujube weighs 7 grams, has a length of 3.15 cm, and a diameter of 2.21 cm. During the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, Hongcun jujubes were already well-known in Beijing. Empress Dowager Cixi once presented these jujubes to foreign envoys and court officials, which is why they are referred to as "Tribute Jujubes." There are two types — white and yellow (referred to by villagers as "white-mouth" and "yellow-mouth"), with the white-mouth variety considered the best for its crisp texture that causes it to crack upon hitting the ground. Hundred grams of fresh jujubes contain 10.9 grams of fructose, 14.33 grams of sucrose, 25.33 grams of total sugar, and 437.18 milligrams of vitamin C. There are currently trees over 500 years old. Hongcun jujubes are among the fruit varieties that the Beijing municipal government is working to revive and preserve.