In the wake of loquats, Suzhou will see large quantities of red bayberries, another local seasonal fruit, coming into the market starting this weekend.
Located in Wuzhong District, Jinting Town and Dongshan Town have a history of more than 1,000 years in planting red bayberries. Thanks to its unique lake-island microclimate, the red bayberries grown in this area are noted for their rich juice, high quality, pleasant smell and moderate sour-sweet taste, and are quite popular among foodies.
01
Variety
Currently, up to 15 types of red bayberries are planted over an area of 7,200 mu (480 hectares) across Jinting Town. The estimated output of this year’s red bayberries is about 3,200 tons, or a year-on-year increase of 30 per cent.
As the Jinting’s signature variety, “dark bayberry” is large in size, dark purple-black in color, juicy and sweet, its output and plantation area accounting for about 80 percent of the town’s total.
“Langdangzi” is another quality variety unique to Jinting and its output accounts for 15 per cent of the total. The fruits swing in the wind on the extra-long stems, and that’s how “langdangzi” (“langdang” means swinging in Chinese) got its name. Featuring good taste, bright color, adequate sweetness, transportability and storability, Langdangzi red bayberries have won many gold medals in the Quality Fruit Contests over the years.
In Dongshan Town , the red bayberries grow over an area of 4500 mu (300 hectares) and this year’s output is expected to reach 2,300 tons. Two types of red bayberries grow in this area: Dayexidi (big-leaf and slim-stem) and Xiaoyexidi (small-leaf and slim-stem). They are well known for their purple color, large, soft and juicy fruit, as well as sweet taste.
02
Pricing
This year’s red bayberries are priced at the same level with previous years: around RMB 40 yuan per kilogram for dark bayberry and slim-stem bayberry; RMB 50 to 60 yuan per kilogram for Langdangzi and Dongkui.
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Picking
The picking of dark bayberry fruits started in early June, and the picking of the late-maturing Langdangzi and Dongkui is expected to kick off on June 15.
04
Tour routes
Jinting Tourism Group has designed four special routes for this year’s Red Bayberry Festival. Besides picking red bayberries, tourists can enjoy the fine scenery of the Taihu Lake (太湖) and stay at select B&Bs with Suzhou characteristics.
1. Parent-child tour
Green Light Happy Village→ Green Light Vanilla Restaurant→ Jinmanting Farm
2. Refreshing summer tour
Linwudong Scenic Spot→ Zhangwu Red Bayberry Base→ Moon Bay Old Village
3. Round-the-island cycling tour
Reed Maze→ Reflection Bay→ Tianwangwu Red Bayberry Base
4. Mountaineering Tour
Piaomiaofeng Scenic Spot→ Shigongshan Scenic Spot→ Zhangwu Red Bayberry Base
