Zhaken Shaoli Pear

Zhaken Shaoli Pear

　　Zhaken Shaoli Pear has a long history. In the "Ode to Yongkang Scenery," it is praised as "Peel a pear from Zhaken, its sweetness is like honey."

Zhaken Shaoli Pears are abundantly produced in Zhaken Village, Tongzhai Township. Legend has it that one year, Elder Zheng Jin was stacking straw sheds when he accidentally included a branch of pear tree tips in the pile. When he dismantled the shed in the deep winter, there were still several large, fist-sized, fragrant yellow shaoli pears growing on the branch. He treasured them like a precious find and, not wanting to eat them himself, took them to Jinhua city to sell. At that time, the wife of the Jinhua Prefect was ill and craving pears. The prefect was worried about not being able to get any pears in the deep winter, but upon hearing someone selling them in the streets, he sent people to buy Zheng Jin’s shaoli pears with a high price. After eating one, the prefect’s wife felt much better and her illness started to improve. After another one, she regained her youthfulness. Learning that the empress was also unwell, the prefect immediately sent the remaining pears to the capital. The empress recovered after eating them and repeatedly praised, “The Shaoli pears from Zhaken are as sweet as honey—truly celestial pears.” Since then, Zhaken Shaoli Pears have become famous throughout the world, turning into a much-told story.

(Yongkang)