Haitian Persimmons

Haitian Persimmons

　　Persimmons are one of China’s ancient fruit trees, consumed since ancient times and often referred to as "wooden grain." They are highly adaptable, drought-resistant, flood-tolerant, heat-loving, and cold-hardy, with strong tree vigor. They grow quickly, produce abundant fruit, and are easy to cultivate for stable and high yields, making them very popular among the public. Persimmon trees are not demanding in terms of soil and can be grown behind homes, along ditches and roads, on flatlands, wastelands, and even poor, barren soils.

　　The cultivation of persimmon trees in Haimen has a history of over 400 years. Historical records from the 1522–1564 Ming Jiajing Haimen County Annals, the Qing Jiaqing Haimen Subprefecture Annals, and the Republican-era Haimen County Annals all document the planting of persimmon trees. Persimmon trees have long been widespread across households in our city, with numerous large persimmon orchards, and ancient, old persimmon trees are commonly seen. In 1998, the total persimmon yield in the city reached 4,119 tons.

　　Persimmons are a fruit with high edible value. Currently, the main varieties widely cultivated in Haimen are astringent types, including local superior cultivars such as Zhusha Hong (Cinnabar Red), Dafang Persimmon, and Xiaofang Persimmon. Each fruit weighs between 100–200 grams, with sweet taste, juicy flesh, dense texture, and a cool, refreshing flavor. Analysis shows that every 100 grams of fresh persimmon contains 0.5 grams of protein, 18.6 grams of carbohydrates, 9 milligrams of calcium, and 21 milligrams of phosphorus. Among these, the content of protein, sugar, and phosphorus all exceed that of apples. Persimmons are also more convenient to store and transport compared to other fruits, which is why they are highly favored by consumers.

　　Haimen is close to major cities such as Shanghai and Nantong, giving persimmons a broad market for sales. Therefore, accelerating the industrialization of persimmon cultivation holds great significance for revitalizing the rural economy, meeting market demand, enriching the public, and achieving prosperity. Currently, Haimen has 1,160 acres of large persimmon orchards and 883,000 scattered persimmon trees, producing approximately 4,500 tons of fruit each year.