Basic Introduction to Changgou Grapes
The 10,000 mu (about 667 hectares) grape base in Changgou Town is located southeast of the town center, on the bed of the Old Canal River. The soil here has been enriched over a thousand years by sediment containing organic matter rich in calcium, phosphorus, and other trace elements from accumulated shells and fish, providing excellent natural nutrients for the growth of grapes. Grape cultivation in Changgou began in 1984 and, after nearly 30 years of development, more than 20 high-quality grape varieties have been introduced and promoted. Twenty specialized grape villages have formed, with a total area of about 10,000 mu and an average yield of over 4,000 pounds per mu.
Nutritional Value
Grapes are highly nutritious and are a very nourishing fruit. Grape juice has been hailed by scientists as “plant milk.” In addition to proteins, carbohydrates, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and other trace elements, grapes contain carotene, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin C, vitamin P, vitamin PP, and more than ten kinds of amino acids essential for the human body, as well as large amounts of fruit acid. Grapes are high in sugar, primarily glucose. Therefore, regular consumption of grapes can be beneficial for those suffering from neurasthenia and excessive fatigue.
Product Characteristics
The Changgou Grapes from Rencheng District, Jining City, are renowned for their large size, bright color, thin skin, thick flesh, and deliciously sweet and sour taste, making them popular among tourists and consumers alike.
History and Folklore
Grape cultivation in Changgou began in 1984, and in 1999, the “Changgou” brand trademark was registered. After more than 20 years of development, the concentrated and contiguous planting area has reached over 5,000 mu. Changgou Town has consistently implemented a strategic development plan focusing on non-toxic, green, and organic food products. With strong government support, grape varieties have been continuously updated, expanding from the original Kyoho variety to include varieties such as Summer Royal, Muscat, and Seedless Super, among others. New planting techniques have also been promoted, including delayed picking, bagging, rainproof facilities, and the use of a vine binding machine for rapid binding, ensuring unified use of pesticides, fertilizers, pruning, and sales, which guarantee both the quantity and quality of the grapes. The Changgou Grape Demonstration Garden has been successively recognized as “Jining's First Harmless Standardized Grape Production Base” and “Jining Fruit Quality and Safety Demonstration Zone,” and it has received certification as a “Non-Toxic Agricultural Product Origin” from the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture. At the 2008 Shandong Tourism Commodities Culture Expo, the “Changgou” brand grapes won the “Top Ten Brands of Shandong Tourism Commodities” award due to their superior quality, becoming a well-known brand throughout the province.
Awards and Honors for Changgou Grapes
Changgou Grapes have earned a prestigious reputation across Jining, winning the first prize in the city's grape competition.
Tasting and Consumption Methods
When eating grapes, we usually spit out the skins. However, the grape skin is actually a good medicine. Scientific research has discovered that resveratrol, a chemical substance found in grape skins, can prevent normal cells from turning cancerous and has shown efficacy in preventing skin cancer in mice, indicating its excellent anticancer properties. Additionally, researchers in Brazil have found that grape skins contain a component that can lower blood pressure, demonstrating a favorable effect in reducing hypertension and atherosclerosis. It is clear that the best way to eat grapes is with the skin on, especially for older people, as regular consumption of grapes can promote health and longevity. When consuming grapes, it is advisable to wash the skins thoroughly. You might want to follow the tongue twister and “eat the grape skin without spitting it out.”
(1) Grapes can be eaten fresh, dried as raisins, or used in medicinal recipes. They are effective in treating neurasthenia, fatigue, indigestion, palpitations, night sweats, and edema.
(2) White grape juice mixed with ginger juice can treat dysentery.
(3) Drinking three glasses of purple grape juice daily can reduce platelet aggregation by 40%.