Visitors pick plump winter jujubes in Zhanhua district, Binzhou, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhanhua district in Binzhou, East China's Shandong province, has seen a winter jujube bounty this autumn. Rows of winter jujube trees stand in the cultivation base, laden with ochre-red fruits, full of sweet fragrance and the farmers' joy.

Once an autumn-only delicacy, this crisp sweetness now reaches tables year-round. Supported by technological breakthroughs and a comprehensive value chain upgrade, Zhanhua cultivates winter jujubes beyond traditional seasons.

Prime soil gives special taste and texture

Yu Hongchang, director of the Zhanhua Winter Jujube Research Institute, has devoted over 30 years to the crop. In 1984, a national forestry census spotted 56 old jujube trees in farmers' yards, and their exceptional quality launched Zhanhua's winter-jujube industry, growing it from zero to its current size.

"When the winter jujube saplings are moved outside Zhanhua, the fruit loses the crisp sweetness they were born to have in this soil," said Zhang Hongpu, a local jujube farmer, who has tended the trees for 34 years. This shows that Zhanhua's land is uniquely suited to producing this special taste.

"Taking a bite, you will find Zhanhua winter jujube explosively crisp, honey-sweet with a bright tang," said Zhang. The jujube is packed with vitamins, so dense it is known as the "living vitamin pill". The Zhanhua winter jujube is recognized as a national geographical indication product, holding top-brand titles and the 2022 "Remarkable Shandong Products" accolade, reaffirming its prestige.

Zhanhua winter jujube's nutrition and unique flavor earn it a robust reputation. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]