Gardenia gives Changyang a golden glow
2023-11-28 18:11:08
Editor & Translater: Chen Zai, Yichang International Communication Studio
As early winter arrives, Duzhenwan Town in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County is harvesting gardenia fruit. This year, the town is aiming for over 7,500 tons of the fruit, worth more than 90 million yuan (US$12.7 million).
Gardenia fruit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It contains a chemical that may help prevent high blood sugar. Other chemicals in gardenia are said to reduce swelling and protect the liver.
It is also the raw material for gardenia yellow pigment, a natural food colorant widely used in East Asia. As modern consumers increasingly demand natural pigments free of toxins and side effects, Changyang's gardenia fruit has become a sought-after product both domestically and internationally.
Duzhenwan Town has a long history of cultivating gardenia. With over 2,660 hectares of gardenia orchards, it is the largest gardenia region in Hubei. The "Jinfu Red Gardenia", a species highly appreciated in China, is produced there.
Due to the propitious environment and the use of organic fertilizers, Duzhenwan gardenia fruit have high nutritional content and a high pigment yield. The fruit is exported to overseas markets such as Japan and Southeast Asia.
Looking at branches laden with gardenia fruit, farmer Li Jianli beamed: “This year the fruit are big and brightly colored, promising a good price. After being processed, they will be sold all over the country."
Changyang County has established a distinctive tourism and sightseeing industry based on its Gardenia Flower Culture and Tourism Festival. A gardenia industry that covers planting, processing, sales and tourism has transformed gardenia into a lucrative "golden fruit" for the farmers.
As early winter arrives, Duzhenwan Town in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County is harvesting gardenia fruit. This year, the town is aiming for over 7,500 tons of the fruit, worth more than 90 million yuan (US$12.7 million).
Gardenia fruit has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It contains a chemical that may help prevent high blood sugar. Other chemicals in gardenia are said to reduce swelling and protect the liver.
It is also the raw material for gardenia yellow pigment, a natural food colorant widely used in East Asia. As modern consumers increasingly demand natural pigments free of toxins and side effects, Changyang's gardenia fruit has become a sought-after product both domestically and internationally.
Duzhenwan Town has a long history of cultivating gardenia. With over 2,660 hectares of gardenia orchards, it is the largest gardenia region in Hubei. The "Jinfu Red Gardenia", a species highly appreciated in China, is produced there.
Due to the propitious environment and the use of organic fertilizers, Duzhenwan gardenia fruit have high nutritional content and a high pigment yield. The fruit is exported to overseas markets such as Japan and Southeast Asia.
Looking at branches laden with gardenia fruit, farmer Li Jianli beamed: “This year the fruit are big and brightly colored, promising a good price. After being processed, they will be sold all over the country."
Changyang County has established a distinctive tourism and sightseeing industry based on its Gardenia Flower Culture and Tourism Festival. A gardenia industry that covers planting, processing, sales and tourism has transformed gardenia into a lucrative "golden fruit" for the farmers.
