Basic Introduction to Zanhuan Large Dates
Zanhuan Large Dates, a specialty of Zanhuan County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. On November 29, 2005, the original General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for “Zanhuan Large Dates.” Also known as Zanhuan Long Dates, Golden Filament Large Dates, and Big Pu Red Dates, they are the only naturally occurring triploid variety found in China. These dates have been tributes to the imperial court through the ages. Their fruits are rich in nutritional value and are hailed as the “King of Fruits” and the “Natural Vitamin King.” Zanhuan County has a tradition of growing large dates and walnuts, with their income becoming an important source of farmers' income growth and prosperity. The shape of the Zanhuan Large Date is long-oval to nearly round, renowned for their size, with uniform fruit size and shape. They have a deep red, bright color, thin skin, thick flesh, crisp texture, sweet and sour taste, and are suitable for fresh consumption and processing into dried goods.
Zanhuan County is located on the eastern foothills of the mid-section of the Taihang Mountains, in the southwest of the provincial capital, Shijiazhuang. It covers a total area of 1,210 square kilometers (181.5 thousand mu), including 115 thousand mu of mountainous terrain, with the general topography being “seven mountains, two terraces, and one field.” Zanhuan County is among the “Top 100 Counties in National Afforestation,” “Advanced Counties in National Economic Forest Construction,” and the first batch of national-level forestry science and technology demonstration counties. Its forest coverage rate consistently ranks first in Shijiazhuang City, making it one of the “greenest places in Hebei.” The soil in the fractured geological belt of the Taihang Mountains is rich in trace elements like selenium and strontium, and the climate is warm temperate semi-humid monsoon continental, with distinct seasons. The unique variety and special geological environment contribute to the superior quality of Zanhuan Large Dates.
Nutritional Value
Zanhuan Large Dates contain 26.7-29.85% soluble solids, 0.25% acid, various essential amino acids for the human body, 383.63-597 mg/100g of Vitamin C, and 3000 mg/100g of Vitamin P, the highest among all fruits. One hundred grams of fresh dates provide 103 kcal of energy, with an edible rate over 95%, and the flesh thickness reaches 0.7-1.5 cm.
In addition to sugars and Vitamins, Zanhuan Large Dates also contain phosphorus, calcium, iron, and other mineral nutrients, cyclic adenosine monophosphate, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which have certain therapeutic effects in preventing arteriosclerosis and cancer.
Product Characteristics
The first characteristic is their size; the stems are robust, the leaves are large and thick, and the flowers and fruits are large. The average single fruit weight is 18.9 grams, with the largest reaching 68 grams, earning them the reputation of “seven make a foot, ten make a pound.” Fresh dates number between 40 and 70 per kilogram, while dried dates number between 70 and 110 per kilogram.
The second characteristic is low fertility, with the fruits having seeds but no kernels.
The third is vigorous metabolism and strong enzyme activity, with enhanced synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and other substances.
The fourth is strong adaptability to environmental conditions, with disease resistance, drought tolerance, and cold tolerance generally stronger than in diploids.
History and Folklore
The cultivation of Zanhuan Large Dates has a long history and unique qualities, having been presented to the imperial court multiple times throughout history, earning them the title of “tribute dates.”
According to historical records from the Ming Dynasty's “Records of Unique Events,” during the reign of Emperor Li Yan of the Tang Dynasty, the prime minister Li Deyu (a native of Zanhuan) prepared a soup with Zanhuan Large Dates and offered it to the emperor. The dates were noted for their health benefits and anti-aging properties, thus becoming a favorite of the emperor.
Zanhuan County has a history of cultivating and planting large dates spanning thousands of years. According to historical records, Zanhuan Large Dates were cultivated before the Yuan Dynasty, widely planted by the Ming Dynasty, and almost every household had date trees by the Qing Dynasty, becoming an important woody crop. In the village of Dahedao, known as the “first village of Zanhuan Large Dates,” there is a centuries-old ancient date tree dating back to the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. There are still several thousand-year-old date trees remaining in Renjiadong Village, Yangze Township.
In 1968, 75 Zanhuan Large Dates were sent to Zhongnanhai and participated in the 75th birthday celebration of Chairman Mao Zedong, one of the founding leaders of the People's Republic of China.
Geographical Scope
The protected geographical indication area for Zanhuan Large Dates is based on the scope proposed by the People's Government of Zanhuan County, Hebei Province, in its letter “Proposal on Defining the Geographical Indication Protection Area for Zanhuan Large Dates” (No. 30). This area includes the current administrative regions of the following 10 townships in Hebei Province: Yangze, Yuantou, Qinghe, Zhangleng, Longmen, Zanhuan, Xuting, Tumen, Huangbeiping, and Xingguo.
Awards and Honors Received by Zanhuan Large Dates
In 1956, Zanhuan Large Dates were rated as the “Crown of Chinese Dates” at the national date evaluation meeting held in Changsha.
In 1994, Zanhuan Large Dates won the gold medal at the First National Forestry Famous, Special, New, and Superior Products Exhibition and subsequently received numerous domestic and international awards.
In 2003, Zanhuan County was named “National Standardized Demonstration County for Large Date Production” by the State Forestry Administration.
In 2004, Zanhuan Large Dates were awarded the “Date King” at the Eighth China (Langfang) Agricultural Products Fair.
Zanhuan Large Dates were crowned the “Crown of Dates” at the national date evaluation meeting held in Changsha in 1956, winning the gold medal at the Kunming World Horticultural Exposition and many other prestigious titles at domestic and international agricultural expos.