Yangshuo Fruit
Who does not like fruits? In Yangshuo fruit is plentiful. Some fruits are
seasonal, others you can find the whole year through. Some of the fruits are
commonly well known, bananas, oranges, plums but others are typical for
China and even Yangshuo itself. Let's explore the world of the Yangshuo
fruits.
Bananas, Ba Jiao
At the markets in and around Yangshuo you will be able to buy bananas. The
normal bananas do not grow in the countryside of Yangshuo. Most of the
bananas come from the areas around Nanning, south Guangxi.
However, there is one kind of banana that is special to Yangshuo The Ba Jiao
is a local grown species, larger then normal bananas. The fruit is mostly
used to flavor curries, teas and pickles. It is an ingredient of 'five
spice powder', used in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine.
Some chew this banana after a meal in order to sweeten the breath. One has to
be cautious as the fruit is supposed to poisonous.
Grapes
Grapes are a well known fruit. Grapes can be found at the Yangshuo markets
from July to October.
They local grown and available from July to October.
Some of the very best grapes I ever had was however in north China, in the
surrounding of Xi'an but the grapes in Guilin and Yangshuo are sweet and
very tasty.
You will easily find grapes at the local market in Yangshuo town center but
you might be lucky to buy some on the road when you make a bicycle tour in
the Yangshuo are.
Chinese Pears
In
many places in the world you will able to find pears. In Holland, my native
country, we have pear gardens. Cycling through northern Iran gave me a look
on endless pear gardens too.
However, Yangshuo has its own specific local grown pears. These Chinese Pears
are very juicy and a welcome addition to kill the thirst when you are on
your bicycle in the limestone mountains.
While cycling around you might find small stalls on the roadside where local
farmers sell smaller qualtities of these pears, usually for better prices
then in town.
Typical season for Chinese pears in Yangshuo is July to September.
Kumquats or cumquats, local name Jinju
Kumquats or cumquats are
small yellow orange fruits of about 3-5 cm. They are quite
popular and grow around the Yangshuo in the field.
Kumquats originated in China, (they are noted in literature dating to the
12th century. The season for jinju, as they are called by the locals is December-January.
Mandarin Oranges and ranges
Mandarin oranges and oranges are popular fruits. In China they are
popular too, especially during Chinese New Year. The fruits are plucked from
the end of October to late November. During the Chinese New Year period they
are usually more expensive due to heavy demands. According to local believe,
oranges bring good luck and prosperity.
Persimmon
Of all the
Yangshuo fruits,Persimmon takes an interesting position. It is a
more exotic fruit from Yangshuo. The fruit is harvested by the end of
October and dried in the weeks after. The fresh persimmon looks a little
like tomato and has the same fresh red color and although the fruit has a
very fresh taste it is very different tasting then tomato.
The fruit has its origin in Asia but is since the 1800's also cultivated
in California and southern Europe.
Persimmons are sweet but crunchy, like an apple. If you can get them,
it's worth a try. Raw persimmon can lead to diarrhea if eaten too much but
interestingly when the fruit is cooked it is used to treat diarrhea and
dysentery.
In the weeks after harvesting, the farmers dry the fruit for amongst
other things, making tea.
Plums
Plums are plentiful in Yangshuo. The local grown plums come in all
colors, red, blue, green, yellow and they all have their specific taste. You
will be able to find plums fro March until September.
Pomelo
Another quite unknown tropical fruit in the west is the pomelo (also known
as shaddock). The pomelo have the size of a small football, yellow or
greenish of color. Pomelos are known by the locals for it's cleansing of the
kidneys. The peel is quite hard and inside the flesh is covered with a white
peel. The easiest way to eat the juicy fruit is to open the white peel and
suck the flesh from the peel.
Pomelos are usually picked after the Moon Festival which is usually held in October
Water chestnut.
Water chestnut is another popular fruit. You will find water chestnut
roasted at the road side and it's very popular with the local Chinese
people. Personally I find them usually a little on the dry side.
Water chestnuts are also used in cooking. A specific dish to be found in
Yangshuo contains pork ribs with carrots and water chestnuts.
Watermelon
Watermelon can be found in many countries, including China. The
watermelons found in Yangshuo can weight several kg's and they are an
excellent way to kill your thirst when you are on the bicycle in the heat of
the summers day in the limestone mountains.
You will be able to buy chunks of watermelon on the road sites or get
them on the local markets, almost everywhere.
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