Leidian Loquats

Leidian Loquats

　　    The loquat is an evergreen sub-shrub of the Rosaceae family. Its leaves resemble the shape of a lute, hence the name. Loquat trees remain green even in winter, bloom with five-petaled white flowers in spring, bear fruit in spring, and ripen in early summer. The fruit is covered in fuzz on the outside, with two to three seeds inside the soft, juicy flesh. With a well-balanced sweet and tangy flavor, it is considered one of the finest fruits of early summer. There is a saying: "In the green fields of Jiangnan in May, when silkworms age, the loquats turn yellow." It has been praised as a "renowned fruit tree unique among fruits for embodying the essence of all four seasons." Poets have also bestowed beautiful names on different varieties — those with golden-yellow skins are called “Golden Nine,” while the white-fleshed “White Sand” loquats are referred to as “Winter Pills.” Ancients even lauded White Sand loquats, saying “they surpass lychees from Lingnan.” Loquats are rich in nutrients, delicious in taste, and contain ample carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, and C, as well as various minerals. In addition to being enjoyed fresh in early summer, they can also be made into jams and pastes for market. The seeds and stems can be processed into loquat paste and loquat syrup, which help soothe the throat, relieve coughs, aid digestion, and clear heat. According to the latest research, loquat leaves may also have certain effects in cancer treatment. Our city’s Leidian Township is one of the main production areas of Zhejiang Province’s famous specialty — Tangqi Loquats. The area features deep, loose, fertile soil with excellent water permeability and aeration, along with a mild climate and abundant rainfall, offering ideal natural conditions for loquat cultivation. It has a long history. As recorded in Compendium of Materia Medica, “Loquats from Tangqi surpass those from other regions, with white ones being the best and yellow ones second.” (Huzhou)