Master Hu’s Dried Fruits

Master Hu’s Dried Fruits

　　Harbin is close to the Greater Khingan Mountains and the Changbai Mountain forest areas, making it abundant in various kinds of dried fruits. Nuts such as hazelnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts, almonds, peanuts, and walnuts are all readily available—not only fresh but also with unique flavors, making them essential souvenirs when visiting Harbin. There are many stalls in Harbin that sell bulk dried fruits, and one of the more well-known ones is “Master Hu’s Dried Fruits,” with prices varying by type. Typically, hazelnuts are the most expensive at around 25 RMB per jin, almonds about 10 RMB per jin, pine nuts 6 RMB, peanuts 3 RMB, and walnuts 8 RMB. Dried fruits are those whose skins become dry when the fruit matures.

　　1. The skin of some dried fruits may split open upon maturation, known as dehiscent fruits:

　　Among dehiscent fruits, those whose skins split along two seams are called legumes, such as soybeans and Acacia confusa; those that split along two seams with a false septum and contain many seeds are called siliques, such as Chinese cabbage, radish, and shepherd's purse.

　　2. If the skin of the dried fruit does not split open, it is called an indehiscent fruit:

　　Indehiscent fruits include nuts, such as chestnuts and acorns; achenes, such as sunflowers; caryopses, such as rice, corn, and wheat; and samaras, such as maple and elm trees.