Basic Introduction to Guangfeng Ma Family Pomelo
The Guangfeng Ma Family Pomelo is a variety of red-fleshed pomelo. The tree crown is umbrella-shaped or semi-circular, flowering in mid-April, with solitary or racemose inflorescences and large white petals. The fruit ripens in mid-to-late October, shaped like a pear or a high flat circle. This variety was recognized by the Jiangxi Province Crop Variety Approval Committee in December 2009 and is a high-quality fruit tree discovered in the mid-1980s in Guangfeng County, Jiangxi. The Ma Family Pomelo is one of the eight major types of pomelos in China.
Nutritional Value
1. Rich in protein, carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamin A precursor, B1, B2, C, P, and calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, etc. Among these, 100 grams of pomelo flesh contains 57 mg of vitamin C, ten times more than pears, and 519 mg of calcium, far exceeding other fruits.
2. The pomelo contains bioactive substances such as naringin and hesperidin. Naringin can reduce blood viscosity and decrease the formation of clots.
3. The pomelo is rich in vitamin C, which can lower cholesterol levels in the blood.
4. The pectin in pomelos not only lowers low-density lipoprotein levels but also reduces damage to arterial walls.
5. It is rich in natural folic acid, which helps prevent anemia in pregnant women and promotes fetal development.
Product Characteristics
The fruit shape is pear-like, the peel is yellow-green, the oil glands are plump, the peel thickness ranges from 50px to 75px, the flesh is light red, crisp, tender, and finely textured, with a balanced sweetness and sourness, refreshing taste, and good storage capability.
History and Folklore
During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, when coastal piracy first arose, the Ma family's ancestors migrated inland from Fujian to avoid war, settling in Ma Family Village in 1472 (the 8th year of the Chenghua period) and gradually multiplying into today's village.
After the Ma family's ancestor settled in Danan, his 80-year-old mother fell ill due to the change in environment, coughing up blood without any improvement despite multiple medical consultations. The ancestor was extremely worried and heard that the Buddha at Xishan Temple (an ancient temple founded during the Song Dynasty located within Danan Provincial Forest Park) was very efficacious. He walked for several miles in the dark and arrived at the temple before dawn. In the temple hall, he tearfully recounted the hardships of their migration and the difficulties his mother faced raising children. Now that his mother was sick, he offered himself as a substitute. After finishing his prayer, he stepped outside the temple just as dawn broke and saw an old monk standing there, carrying a large cloth bag on his back. The monk asked, “You seem troubled. What difficulty are you facing?” The ancestor, seeing the monk's kind face, told him everything. The monk listened and took out two pomelos from his bag, saying, “I have two fine fruits here. These fruits can help with coughs, invigorate the spirit, strengthen the spleen, and improve eyesight. They may be beneficial to your mother.” After thanking the monk, the ancestor took the pomelos home, where he broke them open and found the flesh to be bright red, filling the room with a fragrant aroma. His mother ate some and recovered miraculously. Overjoyed, the ancestor hurried back to Xishan Temple, but upon asking all the monks, none matched his description. Leaving the temple gates, he could only see waves of pine trees and no sign of the old monk. Later generations believed that the monk was actually a manifestation of Maitreya, moved by the ancestor's filial piety, who brought two divine fruits from the celestial pond to help him. The ancestor erected an image of the monk at home, offering sacrifices throughout the year, and planted the seeds from the pomelos, carefully cultivating them. Several years later, a famous local variety of red-fleshed pomelo emerged.
By the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, Grand Tutor Xia Shangpu retired to his hometown. One day, while touring the northern part of the county, the Ma family had already passed down to the third generation. Tutor Xia was renowned for his governance through moral education and was respected by people nationwide. Out of respect, the Ma family invited him to dinner and served him the red-fleshed pomelos they had grown themselves. Tutor Xia found the pomelos to be incredibly fragrant and refreshing, and asked what kind of fruit they were. The Ma family told him that it was a local specialty, the red-fleshed pomelo, and shared its origin story. Tutor Xia did not expect such a superb fruit to exist in his own county. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “This fruit is the essence of the local mountains and rivers. Naming it ‘Red-fleshed Pomelo' merely based on its appearance does not highlight its uniqueness. I propose naming it after its place of origin, ‘Ma Family Pomelo,' to truly reflect its rarity.”
The earliest planting of Ma Family Pomelos began during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty. This mother tree sprouted anew from the roots of an old tree that had withered and aged, making it over a hundred years old. In 1991, 18 fruits were picked from this mother tree to participate in the Jiangxi Province Pomelo Resources Census Summary and Pomelo Evaluation Meeting, winning the title of “First Place for Sour Pomelos in Jiangxi Province.” Since then, the Ma Family Pomelo has become well-known, with many people eager to grow it. All the branches used came from this original mother tree.
Distinguishing Genuine Guangfeng Ma Family Pomelos
1. When selecting pomelos, follow the “Weeble Wobble” principle: look for ones that are wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. Choose pomelos that are round and flat with a short neck (those with a flat bottom are even better). This is because pomelos with long necks tend to have less flesh and more skin.
2. You can also select high-quality pomelos based on appearance, weight, and feel. If the pomelo's skin is smooth and clean, with oil cells that appear translucent, and the color is pale yellow or orange-yellow, it indicates a high level of maturity and will be juicy and sweet. For pomelos of the same size, choose the heavier ones. When you press firmly on the pomelo, if it is difficult to depress, it suggests a firm and high-quality interior. Note that if the pomelo is large but light, it probably has thick skin and little flesh, which will not taste good.
Awards and Honors
In 1991, the Ma Family Pomelo participated in the Jiangxi Province Pomelo Resources Census Summary and Pomelo Evaluation Meeting, winning the title of “First Place for Sour Pomelos in Jiangxi Province.” In September 2010, the Guangfeng County Ma Family Pomelo was selected as an exhibit product for the Shanghai World Expo, being the only agricultural product from Guangfeng County to be chosen. In December 2010, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine approved geographical indication protection for “Ma Family Pomelo” under Announcement No. 155 of 2010.