Shanhe Bayberry

Shanhe Bayberry

　　Shanhe Bayberry is a specialty of Qingtian, Lishui, Zhejiang Province.

　　　Qingtian has a long history of cultivating bayberries. The "Qingtian County Annals" from the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty recorded: "Bayberries come in three colors—red, purple, and white—with red superior to white and purple superior to red. Those produced in Jiku (Jiku Liao) are the best. Traditional varieties such as Xiakeng Mei, Kuishi Mei, Chashan Mei, and Heitan Mei enjoy great fame." Shanhe Bayberry is produced in Qingtian County and is known for being early-ripening, large-fruited, beautifully shaped, and delicious in taste, often referred to as the "ping-pong bayberry." The "Shanhe" brand bayberry has a soluble solid content of 12%, with the largest single fruit weighing up to 72 grams and an average weight of over 25 grams. It features a deep purple-black color, plump flesh columns, no flesh spines, tender and soft texture, juicy, rich flavor, small seeds, beautiful appearance, vibrant color, and a sweet-and-sour taste. It has been rated as an excellent-quality fruit by the agricultural testing agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, recognized as a branded product at the China International Agricultural Expo, awarded a gold medal at the Zhejiang Provincial Agricultural Expo, and named one of the "Top Ten Famous Bayberries of Zhejiang Province." It has also received national green food certification. The county has been designated as the "Hometown of Bayberries in China."