Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube

Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube

Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Cui Zhuang is a village in Taiping Town, Binhai New Area. The village is famous for its winter jujubes. Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube has long been renowned as a top-quality variety. With its thin skin, small pit, and thick, sweet and crisp flesh, it was once served as a tribute to emperors, hence also known as Tribute Jujube.

　　　　There is also a mythical legend about Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube, which adds to its charm and mystique. It is said that this legend is related to the Monkey King Sun Wukong’s rebellion in Heaven. On one occasion, when the Queen Mother of the West held a grand Peach Banquet in Heaven, all the deities were invited to enjoy the celestial wine. However, the Monkey King, known as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, was not on the guest list and became furious, throwing a tantrum. In a fit of rage, he somersaulted over 108,000 li through the clouds and disrupted the heavenly feast. The Queen Mother’s sacred wine spilled across the floor, and the celestial fruits were scattered everywhere. The fruits rolled off the heavenly table, fell through the clouds, and landed in the fields of Cui Zhuang, where they took root, sprouted, and grew into lush winter jujube trees.

　　　　Historical records indicate that Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube has a long history—dating back to 1560 when the Liu family of the village began cultivating it. Through continuous research and multiple grafting attempts, the fruit eventually became a refined and premium product. According to Compendium of Materia Medica, winter jujubes are “sweet in taste, non-toxic, effective in treating heart disorders, invigorating the spleen, harmonizing the stomach, clearing the senses, nourishing beauty, and prolonging life with regular consumption.” It is said that Cui Zhuang Winter Jujube was once a tribute to emperors during the Qing Dynasty, gaining great fame. However, due to wars and famines, most of the jujube orchards in Cui Zhuang were destroyed, with only a few remaining. By the 1960s, the orchards began to recover. Later, during a tumultuous period, the reckless Red Guards, who “would rather have socialist grass than capitalist jujubes,” uprooted the winter jujube trees entirely. Fortunately, the Liu family preserved a few. Today, in this prosperous era, the winter jujube trees have flourished again, becoming a golden source of wealth for local farmers. The jujube trees thrive vigorously, even setting a new record of producing up to 100 jin per tree.

　　　　In 2000, as Dagang District strategically adjusted its agricultural industry structure, it aimed to establish leading industries and distinctive products by planting 100,000 mu of winter jujubes. The lush green winter jujube orchards have become a scenic sight across the vast fields of Dagang, and Dagang Winter Jujubes have expanded beyond national borders to reach the world. Cui Zhuang, the birthplace of winter jujubes, becomes even more romantic with its legendary tales.