Bilian Fragrant Pomelo

Bilian Fragrant Pomelo

　　The fragrant pomelo, called "xiangpao" by people in Yongjia, is a type of pomelo, also known as Wen Dan, Qigan, Luan, etc. It belongs to the Rutaceae family, the same as oranges, mandarins, and tangerines, and is a perennial evergreen fruit tree.

　　　　The pomelo tree has a well-developed root system. Its fruits are well-shaped, bright orange-yellow in color, with crisp white flesh that is uniquely sweet and fragrant. The Bilian Fragrant Pomelo won the gold award at the second National Agricultural Expo in 1995.

　　　　The parent plant of the fragrant pomelo grows up to about seven meters tall, with a compact canopy, sturdy trunk, and broad thick leaves. The average yield per tree is 125–150 kilograms, with the highest yield reaching up to 250 kilograms. By early September, about one-third of the fruit’s skin turns color; by mid-September, the entire fruit becomes orange-yellow, and it is ready for harvest and market by late September. The flesh is mostly sweet with little acidity, rich in flavor, soft and crisp in texture, pleasantly fragrant, and lacks bitterness.

　　　　The Bilian Fragrant Pomelo has an attractive pear-like shape, giving it high commercial appeal. It is also highly resistant to storage—even keeping until the following spring enhances its sweetness—earning it the reputation of being a “natural canned fruit.”

　　　　The fragrant pomelo also has high medicinal value, offering therapeutic benefits such as soothing qi and calming wheezing. It is very beneficial for those suffering from asthma or high blood pressure when consumed regularly. The peel of the pomelo, referred to in traditional Chinese medicine as "wanggua peel," helps resolve food stagnation and promote digestion, as well as treat wheezing and regulate qi. The pomelo fruit itself is a widely used folk remedy in Yongjia, known for its remarkable effectiveness in treating indigestion and dysentery.