Basic Introduction to Pomegranates of Huaiyuan
The cultivation of Pomegranates in Huaiyuan has a long history, with the high-quality seedlings of Anhui Baofeng being renowned for their excellent quality. It is said that they have been cultivated since the Tang Dynasty and by the Qing Dynasty, Pomegranates of Huaiyuan were recorded in official historical records. The County Annals of Huaiyuan notes: “Pomegranates are the best fruit in this county, surpassing even the pomegranates offered as tribute from Caozhou. They come in red flowers and fruits, white flowers and fruits, with the Jade Seed Pomegranate being particularly excellent.” This shows that Pomegranates of Huaiyuan had formed unique local characteristics long ago and won praise from people both at home and abroad due to their bright colors, neat shape, translucent seeds, and delicious flavor. Pomegranates of Huaiyuan were exported to Southeast Asia, the UK, Romania, and other countries, and introduced to the former Soviet Union, Bulgaria, and elsewhere.
There are many varieties of Pomegranates in Huaiyuan, with an initial count of 13, divided into two major groups based on flower color: white and red. There is only one type of White Flower Pomegranate – the White Pomegranate, which has white flowers, seeds, and fruits. Within the Red Flower group, there are ornamental and edible types. The ornamental types include Thousand-layer Pomegranate – with large and multi-petaled flowers, Dwarf Pomegranate – suitable for pot planting, also known as Sea Pomegranate; among the edible types, there are the Pink Skin and Green Skin systems. The Pink Skin system includes four varieties: Pink Skin, Green Pink Skin, Fire Gourd, and Lady Banana, which have bright fruit skin, early ripening, and average quality. The Green Skin system includes six varieties: Jade Seed, Coral Seed, Big Clumsy, Second Clumsy, Green Skin, and Thin Rough Skin. Generally speaking, these varieties have lighter green skin, later ripening, and better quality.
The main production area of Pomegranates in Huaiyuan is at the foot of Mount Jing and Mount Tu, with the most plants on the shady slopes, followed by the east and west slopes, and the least on the sunny slopes. These areas belong to six administrative villages: Shanghong, Duying, Tushan in Shanghong Township, Xingchang, Riquan, and Yongguang in Chengguan Town. Other areas mostly consist of newly planted young orchards in recent years. As of 2006, the annual total output was around 800,000 catties, with individual yields above 5 kilograms and per mu (Chinese acre) yield above 200 kilograms. The highest single yield reached 15 kilograms, ranking first in both per mu and per plant yields compared to other Pomegranate production areas across the country. This is because Pomegranates in Huaiyuan not only enjoy favorable climate and geographical advantages but also possess superior varieties.
Nutritional Value
According to chemical analysis, Pomegranates of Huaiyuan contain about 75% water, 15% sugar, 2.5% crude fiber, and 0.8% ash. Among the ash, phosphorus and calcium are especially abundant. In mature fruits, organic acids account for 0.4-1%, and Vitamin C content exceeds 11 milligrams per 100 grams of juice, which is 1-2 times higher than apples and pears. Additionally, they contain small amounts of protein and fat.
Pomegranates are rich in nutrients, nourishing the body, quenching thirst, aiding digestion. However, it would be incorrect to say that Pomegranates are perfect. According to “Foodstuffs of Huaining,” “Eating too many pomegranates can harm the lungs and teeth, which is avoided by those who practice diet therapy.” It seems that the problem lies in overconsumption.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Pomegranates are considered warm and astringent, both moisturizing and astringent. The root bark can expel tapeworms, the fruit peel can stop diarrhea, and the leaves can treat eye diseases and strengthen the body. “The Gazetteer of Taiping Prefecture – Products” also records: “Sour ones are used in medicine, the flowers can treat nosebleeds, and the shells can treat seminal emissions.” There is also a folk legend that White Pomegranate flowers and fruits can cure tuberculosis, and White Pomegranates are effective in treating diabetes.
Pomegranate peels are rich in tannic acid, averaging 22%, making them a natural raw material for the tanning industry and cotton and wool dyeing.
Pomegranate branches are flexible and long, suitable for weaving baskets, crates, and baskets.
Pomegranates of Huaiyuan are famous far and wide, enjoying a high reputation. Not only do they possess the best qualities of Pomegranates from other regions, but they also have their own unique features. They have thin skins, large seeds (the maximum weight of 100 seeds can reach 71.4 grams), high sugar content (up to 17%), and low acid content (as low as 0.4%). Their Jade Seed and Coral Seed varieties have soft seeds that are edible, making them rare delicacies among Pomegranates.
Product Characteristics
Pomegranates of Huaiyuan have bright colors, with red fruit skins, yellow and white interspersed, adorned with a rosy glow, and a fresh luster, like jade and congealed fat, creating a marvelous sight. Pomegranates of Huaiyuan include the internationally renowned Jade Seed, Coral Seed, Red Coral, the large and beautiful Big Clumsy, Second Clumsy, Green Skin, the bright red Pink Skin, Red Gourd, Lady Banana, and the Three Whites with white flowers, seeds, and fruits, as well as the Thousand-layer Flower Pomegranate with large and beautiful flowers.
Historical Folklore
Pomegranates originated in ancient Persia and its vicinity, including present-day Iran, Afghanistan, the Caucasus region of the former Soviet Union, and Central Asia. They have been cultivated in Iran since prehistoric times. Before the beginning of the Christian era, they spread westward to the Mediterranean region and eastward to India and China, and later to Korea and Japan. By 2013, they were almost universally cultivated around the world.
Although Pomegranates are not native to China, their cultivation history here spans over two thousand years. The “Miscellaneous Records” by Zhang Hua of the Jin Dynasty and “Comprehensive Records of Various Flowers” both record: “During the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian, on his mission to the Western Regions, brought back seeds of the Pomegranate, which came to be known as An Pomegranate.” Upon investigation, Pomegranates were not introduced to China solely through the Western Regions route, but were also introduced via maritime routes to places like Singapore from the southwest and coastal areas.
Pomegranates of Huaiyuan have enjoyed a long-standing reputation. During the Qing Dynasty, they became famous throughout the country, as recorded in the County Annals of Huaiyuan compiled during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty: “Pomegranates are the best fruit in this county, surpassing even the pomegranates offered as tribute from Caozhou. They come in red flowers and fruits, white flowers and fruits, with the Jade Seed Pomegranate being particularly excellent.” After liberation, Pomegranates of Huaiyuan also crossed oceans and became famous overseas. According to the preliminary draft of the County Annals of Huaiyuan in 1960, Pomegranates of Huaiyuan were exported to Southeast Asia and Europe. In 1958, they were very popular in the London market. Countries like the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, and Bulgaria also introduced them by name. As for domestic introductions, there are too many to list.
Pomegranates of Huaiyuan thrived during the Qing Dynasty. According to legends, Pomegranate orchards covered the mountains of Jing, Tu, Dahong, and Ping'a, with an area exceeding 5,000 mu and more than 250,000 trees, producing about 2 million catties annually. During the Pomegranate harvest season, merchants from the north and south gathered in