Basic Introduction to Ningyang Jumbo Dates
Ningyang jumbo dates, also known as round bell dates, are named after Ningyang County in Shandong Province and are one of the three major specialties of Mount Tai. These dates are characterized by their large size, thin skin, thick flesh, sweet taste, and high content of trace elements, making them a premium health supplement with significant medicinal value. They help strengthen capillaries and prevent hemorrhages, have a notable effect on hypertension, and offer benefits such as nourishing the stomach and spleen, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and prolonging life. Due to their high vitamin content, Ningyang jumbo dates are known as “natural vitamin pills.” In 1982, they were designated as national health dates by the Ministry of Health, and in 1986, Ningyang was listed as a national jumbo date cultivation base county by the Forestry Department. In 2000, Ningyang was recognized as a “jumbo date capital” in China.
Nutritional Value
According to chemical analysis, fresh dates contain 44% sugar, while dried dates contain 85.5% sugar. They also contain 3.3% protein and a high amount of vitamin C (14.2 mg per 100 g of dried dates), along with vitamins A, B, and P, earning them the title of “natural vitamin pills.” Jumbo dates have a wide range of uses, suitable for both culinary and medicinal purposes. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried and can be processed into various health foods. Medically, they are a premium health supplement that helps strengthen capillaries and prevent hemorrhages, effectively treating hypertension. They also offer benefits like nourishing the stomach and spleen, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and prolonging life.
The Ningyang Geshi round red dates, known as the “king of fruits,” have a long history dating back to the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. They were considered tributes to emperors throughout the ages. The round red dates are large, round, bright red in color, and have a lot of flesh with a small pit. They are deep and sweet in flavor, possessing excellent nutritional and medicinal values. Among all varieties of dates, the round red dates rank first and are among the best in China. Ningyang jumbo dates are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D, as well as calcium, phosphorus, and iron trace elements. Their sugar, protein, and fat content is higher than other similar varieties. They nourish capillaries and prevent hemorrhages, showing remarkable effects on hypertension and liver and gallbladder diseases. They have functions such as nourishing the stomach and spleen, tonifying blood and spirit, and prolonging life. Their medical value and health benefits rank first among fruits, and they are referred to as “natural vitamin pills” in the medical community. In 1986, they were rated as national health dates by the Ministry of Health.
Dates are perennial woody plants and an essential ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, often referred to as “no medicine without dates.” They are sweet and nontoxic, mainly used to treat heart disorders, calm the mind, nourish the spleen, regulate the stomach, and improve the functioning of organs. They help with twelve meridians, replenish vital energy, and are effective against dehydration, bodily deficiencies, severe fright, and limb heaviness. Dates can be combined with other medicines, and long-term consumption can lead to weight loss and longevity. Our dates have multiple benefits, including preventing arteriosclerosis, improving blood vessel circulation, lowering blood pressure, tonifying the liver and clearing heat, soothing the brain and calming the mind, strengthening the body, replenishing blood and beautifying the complexion, and supporting anticancer properties. They show significant therapeutic effects on liver disease, blood-related diseases, and kidney deficiency and can prevent nearly a hundred diseases.
Product Characteristics
Ningyang jumbo dates, also known as round bell dates, are a local traditional specialty and the main production area for Tai'an tooth dates. The primary varieties include round, long red, and sour bell, with the round variety being the most prominent. Their characteristics include: large fruit (an irregular oval shape – larger at the top and smaller at the bottom), thin skin, dark red color with a glossy appearance, thick and delicate flesh with a sweet taste, rich in nutrients, and durable during storage and transportation.
Historical and Folklore
The cultivation of Ningyang jumbo dates has a history of three thousand years. Date trees grow quickly, bear fruit early, have a long lifespan, and are highly resistant to adverse conditions. They tolerate acidic and alkaline soils, droughts, and floods and can be planted on hills and plains. They are primarily distributed around Shentong Mountain in towns such as Geshi, Jiangji, Gangcheng, Cili, and Huafeng. With adjustments in agricultural structure, cultivation methods have evolved from terracing to intercropping with grains.
Awards and Honors for Ningyang Jumbo Dates
In 1982, they were listed as national health dates.
In 1986, Ningyang was listed as a national jumbo date development base county by the Forestry Department.
In 1996, at the Shanghai Famous and Quality Products Exhibition, Ningyang's “round bell dates” were rated as a brand-name product by consumers.
In 1998, both Ningyang's “round bell dates” and “long red dates” were awarded recommended brands by the National Forest By-Products, Famous, Excellent, New, and Rare Products Exhibition and Trade Organizing Committee.
In September 2000, at the national jujube trade fair in Leling, Ningyang's “round bell dates” won the gold medal.
In March 2000, Ningyang County was approved as a national specialty economic forest “jumbo date capital.”