Basic Introduction to Xiao Kou Large Dates
Xiao Kou Large Dates are a specialty of Jingyuan County, Gansu Province, named after their origin in Xiaokou Village, Shimen Township. They have the characteristics of being able to bear fruit even during long droughts. Fresh dates are large and heavy, crisp and delicious, while dried dates remain moist even after long storage, with thick flesh and a rich flavor. They are rich in nutrients and can be used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. “Xiao Kou Large Dates” have won accolades such as “China Green Food Grade A Product,” one of the “Top Ten Fruits of Gansu Province,” and an “Excellence Award” at the first Chinese Jujube Industry Conference.
Nutritional Value
Jujubes are extremely nutritious. Fresh jujubes contain 20%–36% sugar, while dried ones contain 55%–80%, making them high in calories and historically used as famine relief. Vitamin C content is among the highest of all fruits, with 0.1–0.6 grams per 100 grams, about 100 times more than apples and peaches. The content of vitamin P is also the highest among fruits. Fresh jujubes contain 1.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, which is also nearly the highest among fresh fruits. Dried jujubes produce an extremely high amount of heat, approximately 1200–1300 kilojoules per 100 grams, close to that of raisins, and they surpass raisins in protein, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, and niacin content. Therefore, people have always considered jujubes to be an excellent tonic food.
Product Characteristics
Sensory characteristics: The fruit is oval-shaped, with a bright purplish-red exterior that does not wrinkle. The fruits are large, thick-fleshed, thin-skinned, small-seeded, and flavorful, and they do not dry out over time, making them very storable.
History and Folklore
The main production area of “Xiao Kou Large Dates” is in five villages of Shimen Township, Jingyuan County—Xiaokou, Anwei, Zitan, Batan, and Shimen. Shimen Township has been designated by Baiyin City as a jujube production base. The production area benefits from unique geographical and natural ecological conditions, and there is a long history of cultivation along with scientifically mature management techniques. In 2008, the jujube garden covered 3,000 mu, with over 51,000 fruit-bearing trees, producing around 700,000 kilograms of jujubes annually, with a value of over 5 million yuan. After years of development, the scale of the “Xiao Kou Large Dates” production area has continued to expand. By 2010, the cultivation area had spread across seven townships in the county, reaching 22,000 mu, with an annual output of 42 million kilograms. It has become a major advantageous industry in the county, significantly boosting agricultural efficiency and rural income.
Awards and Honors for Xiao Kou Large Dates
In 1991, they won the Gold Medal at the China Forest Products Exhibition and Sales Fair in Shijiazhuang. The expert panel's evaluation was, “Grown in Gansu, Xiao Kou Large Dates, grown in red clayey soil, irrigated with spring water, with long sunshine hours, large and thick-fleshed, famous both at home and abroad.” In 1997, they won the Silver Medal at the Gansu Province Forest Products Exhibition and Sales Fair. In 1998, they were rated as a high-quality agricultural product of Baiyin City. In 2002, they were certified as “Green Food” by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Ways to Enjoy Xiao Kou Large Dates
Xiao Kou Large Dates can be enjoyed in many ways. Apart from eating them raw, they can also be boiled, made into soups, or used as ingredients in stews. They can also be processed into various traditional sweet and glutinous foods. Additionally, they can be processed into honey dates, sugared dates, crispy dates, smoked dates, drunken dates, date tea, and date wine, which are popular flavored beverages and foods.