Huangtukan Pears

Huangtukan Pears

　　A specialty of Beijing—Huangtukan Pears are large in size, with each fruit weighing up to half a pound; their golden-yellow skins shine brilliantly; the flesh is tender, high in sugar content—with Huangtukan Pears having a refractometer sugar content of over 13%, reaching as high as 20%, far above the average sugar level of pears; the cores are small, the flesh thick and crisp; the flavor is sweet, rich, and mellow. When cellared, their aroma becomes even more intense, with fragrance drifting for miles. Huangtukan Village in Miyun County sits against the undulating Yunfeng Mountain and faces the vast and misty Miyun Reservoir. It enjoys abundant sunshine, a moist climate, and significant diurnal temperature variation. According to testing by relevant national departments, the area’s geology contains considerable amounts of medical stone, with total reserves estimated at over 100 million tons. This unique ecological environment endows Huangtukan Pears with rich elements such as vitamin C, calcium, zinc, potassium, selenium, and phosphorus, earning them the reputation of the “King of Pears.”

　　 Specialty Culture: As early as the Ming Dynasty, pear cultivation began in the Huangtukan area, boasting a history of over 600 years. The "Miyun County Annals" record: “(Miyun) pears are best from Huangtukan Village, hence also called Huangtukan Pears… By the Qing Dynasty, they were already widely renowned.” Legend has it that during the Qianlong Emperor’s reign, the emperor and his officials were returning to Beijing from Chengde. When they reached Yanggezhuang Post Station and it was getting late, they decided to rest there. After the feast, local officials presented various fruits, none of which interested the Qianlong Emperor. Just as everyone was losing interest, the village head offered a plate of Huangtukan Pears. The weary emperor's eyes lit up: what a divine fruit, golden and gleaming like jade. Upon tasting it, he found it fragrant and sweet, declaring it the “King of Pears” and urgently calling on Liu Yong to compose an "Ode to Pears." Liu Yong, truly a genius of his time, quickly penned a piece that read: “The finest pears possess five virtues, while the inferior ones have four flaws. What are the four flaws? They are sourness, astringency, grittiness, and large pits; the virtues are sweetness, tenderness, large size, juiciness, and thin skin. To embody all five virtues while lacking the four flaws—could this be the pear of Huangtukan? It is a celestial delicacy, a wonder of the divine garden. It rivals golden peaches and is praised alongside fiery dates. Though fine pears can be found everywhere, those sent as tribute must come from Huangtukan; though no perfect pear variety exists in this world, this one seems to have descended from the heavens. As big as a pint, sweeter than honey. Its flesh is full of nectar yet does not spill when cut, its juice brims within yet does not flow when sucked. Upon entering the mouth, it revives; without chewing, it turns to juice. Ask the throat, and it says ‘moist’; ask the mouth, and it says ‘delicious.’ No detail is too small, as Kong Rong chose the smaller pear out of modesty, but here there is no need; heat vanishes upon contact, and even Emperor Suzong could not burn it in a fire. The illiterate mistake it for an axe meant to chop viscera; those who know a little recognize it as a divine fruit from the heavens.” From then on, endorsed by the Qianlong Emperor himself and inscribed by Grand Secretary Liu Yong, Huangtukan Pears became a tribute fruit for the imperial court, gaining fame throughout the capital. Today, they are a regular feature at state banquets, long supplied to the central government, the State Council, and Beijing Hotel.

　　 Specialty Benefits: Huangtukan Pears, having grown for years in mineral-rich medical stone soil containing trace elements, are high in beneficial elements for the human body. According to a test report by the National Food Quality Supervision and Testing Center on October 14, 2003, Huangtukan Pears contain: total acid at 0.14%, total sugar at 6.9%, ash <0.1%, vitamin C at 4.1%, calcium at 25.0 mg/kg, zinc at 0.76 mg/kg, potassium at 958 mg/kg, selenium at 0.01 mg/kg, and phosphorus at 38.7 mg/kg. In particular, selenium has strong antioxidant properties. All crops in Huangtukan contain varying levels of “highly antioxidant” substances, with pears having the highest content. Long-term consumption of selenium-rich foods not only combats aging but also enhances beauty. Experiments by experts have shown that selenium also helps prevent and fight cancer, and long-term consumption by cancer patients may extend life. Regular intake of Huangtukan Pears can also strengthen the body, promote blood circulation and vitality, expel accumulated bodily waste, and provide certain therapeutic effects for conditions such as menstrual pain, back pain, shoulder pain, excessive stomach acid, cold symptoms, mastitis, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, cystitis, hypertension, and constipation.