Wintergreen Peach

Wintergreen Peach

　　The Wintergreen Peach of Huaguoshan (also known as winter peach) mostly grows in mountainous areas at an altitude of around 500 meters. The winter peach tree is no different from ordinary peach trees, except that its flowering period is about half a month later, and the fruit is "slow to bear," not ripening until early winter.

The winter peach is similar in size to a yellow peach, round with a green skin, containing less moisture, and has a fresh, sweet yet slightly sour taste with a fragrant aroma. It is easy to preserve—just place the ripe fruit in a jar filled with corn paste and seal it. When taken out during the Spring Festival, the fruit remains as vibrant in color as ever, and tastes sweet and sour, truly deserving the name "immortal peach."

Legend has it that the Wintergreen Peach of Huaguoshan was cultivated over many years by monks of the Sanyuan Palace. Initially, there were very few plants, and the fruit was used only as an offering to the Three Pure Ones. Now, through cultivation, many have been planted on Huaguoshan. Hiking up the mountain in early winter, one can see fresh peaches still hanging on the trees—an exceptionally rare and beautiful sight. (Lianyungang)