Leidian Loquats

Leidian Loquats

　　　　Product Name: Loquat

　　Place of Origin: Leidian Township, Huzhou.

　　Harvest Season: Bears fruit in spring, ripens in early summer.

　　Product Characteristics: Large fruit with thick flesh, juicy and sweet, highly nutritious.

　　Product Components: Rich in carbohydrates, vitamins A, B, C, and various minerals.

　　Product Efficacy: The pits and stems can also be made into loquat paste and loquat syrup, which help soothe the throat, relieve coughs, aid digestion, and clear heat. According to recent research, loquat leaves may also have certain effects in cancer treatment.

　　Product Introduction: The loquat is an evergreen sub-shrub of the rose family. Its leaves resemble the shape of a lute, hence the name. Loquats remain green through winter, bloom with five-petaled white flowers, bear fruit in spring, and ripen in early summer. Their fuzz-covered exteriors contain two or three seeds inside soft, juicy flesh with a well-balanced sweet and tart flavor, making them a top choice among early-summer fruits. There is a poetic saying, “In May, the south is lush and green; as silkworms age, the loquats turn yellow.” Loquats are hailed as a “unique fruit tree that embodies the essence of all four seasons,” and a “renowned fruit of distinction.” Poets have also bestowed beautiful names on different varieties — those with golden-yellow skins are called “Golden Nine,” while the ivory-fleshed white-sand loquat is known as “Wax Pill.” It has been praised that “the white-sand loquat surpasses even the lychees of Lingnan.” Loquats are not only nutritious and delicious but also suitable for fresh consumption in early summer and can be processed into jams and canned goods for market supply. Leidian Township features deep, loose, fertile soil with good drainage and aeration, along with a mild climate and abundant rainfall — providing an ideal natural environment for loquat cultivation.

　　Product History: Loquats were cultivated from wild varieties as early as the Han Dynasty in China. Later, through selective breeding, they became a traditional fruit of southern China. The “Leidian” loquat has a long history, is notably large and flavorful, and enjoys a longstanding reputation as a premium product. The Kangxi-era “Deqing County Annals: Products” mentions “varieties of loquat.” Townships such as Leidian, Gouli, Chengguan, Erdou, Xiasha, and Xujiazhuang all grow loquats, but Leidian Town is the primary production area.