Basic Introduction to Shucheng Chestnuts
Shucheng County is known as the land of chestnuts, with a history of chestnut cultivation spanning 2,000 to 3,000 years. The “Dahongpao” chestnuts produced in Shucheng are large and rich in high nutritional value.
Nutritional Value
Chestnuts are rich in vitamins B1 and B2, with vitamin B2 content at least four times that of rice. Each 100 grams also contains 24 milligrams of vitamin C, which is unmatched by grains. It may come as a surprise that fresh chestnuts contain more vitamin C than tomatoes, which are renowned for their vitamin C content, and over ten times more than apples! Chestnuts are also rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese. Although they do not reach the levels found in hazelnuts or melons, they still have much higher concentrations than common fruits like apples and pears, especially in potassium, where they surpass even the so-called potassium-rich apples by four times.
History and Folklore
A Chinese folk saying goes: “Rambutan in July, hawthorn in August, and chestnuts laughing in September.” Chestnuts, also known as Castanea, are often referred to as the “King of Fruits,” and along with peaches, apricots, plums, and jujubes, are called the “Five Fruits.” They are known abroad as “Health Foods” and are considered superior fruits for tonifying the spleen and kidneys and prolonging life. The tree is named the chestnut tree, a deciduous tree of the beech family, one of the earliest fruit trees cultivated in China. In the “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji) by Sima Qian of the Western Han Dynasty, there is a clear record stating, “In Yan and Qin, there are orchards of a thousand chestnut trees…their owners are equivalent to marquises with a thousand households.”
In the “Su Qin Biography,” it is mentioned that “Qin spoke to King Wen of Yan: ‘To the south, there is the abundance of Jieshi and Yamen, and to the north, the benefits of jujubes and chestnuts. Even without intensive farming, the people are well-fed by jujubes and chestnuts alone; this is what is known as a land blessed by heaven.'” According to Western Jin Dynasty scholar Lu Ji's commentary on the “Book of Songs,” “Chestnuts are found in all five regions, but those from Yuyang and Fanyang are particularly sweet and flavorful, surpassing those from other places.” This shows that Chinese laborers had been cultivating chestnut trees for over 5,000 years.
Distinguishing Real from Fake
One look at the color. Some raw chestnuts appear very shiny and dark, like chocolate. Do not buy these, as they are old. Look for those that are lighter in color (like coffee with extra creamer), with a slightly dull surface as if covered with a thin layer of powder, which indicates new chestnuts.
Two look at the fuzz. As everyone knows, chestnuts have many fine hairs at the tail end. On older chestnuts, the hair is generally less, with only a little bit at the tip. New chestnuts usually have more fuzz at the tail end.
Three check for insect holes. If you don't see any insect holes on the surface and are still unsure, you can rub the chestnut skin vigorously with your hand. If there are no insect holes visible after rubbing, then it is likely that there are no insect holes inside.
Tasting and Eating Methods of Shucheng Chestnuts
The main ways to eat chestnuts include:
(1) Dried Chestnuts: Hang chestnuts in a net bag to dry. Eat 15 raw chestnuts daily, chewing them slowly. This can help treat kidney deficiency and soreness in the lower back and legs in the elderly.
(2) Chestnut Porridge: Take 10 chestnuts and cook them with an appropriate amount of rice to make porridge. Alternatively, dry and grind the chestnuts into powder, mix it into the porridge, and add an appropriate amount of brown sugar before eating. This can help replenish kidney energy, strengthen muscles and bones, and treat weakness in the lower back and legs.
(3) Sugared Chestnuts: Boil 30 dried chestnuts until cooked, then add an appropriate amount of brown sugar before eating. This can help treat physical weakness, soreness and pain in the limbs, and bruises and swelling from falls and injuries.
(4) Raw Chestnuts: Raw chestnuts have hemostatic effects and can be used to treat common bleeding conditions such as hemoptysis, epistaxis, and hematochezia. Remove the shells from raw chestnuts, crush them into a paste, and apply to affected areas to treat injuries and bruises, which has been clinically proven to be effective in Traditional Chinese Medicine.