Jing’eryu Da Gai Persimmon
Overview Jing’eryu Village, located in Wangxinzhang Town, Pinggu District, Beijing, is renowned for producing the best Da Gai persimmons.
Chinese Name: Jing’eryu Da Gai Persimmon
Other Name: Da Mopan Persimmon (Big Millstone Persimmon)
The Da Gai persimmon, also known as Da Mopan persimmon, is a specialty of the Beijing region, particularly prized for the variety produced in Jing’eryu Village. The fruits are large, with an average weight of 0.25 kg, and some can even reach 0.45 kg. The skin is orange-yellow or orange-red, with a bright and appealing color. The flesh is light yellow, sweet, juicy, and seedless with minimal fiber. The texture is soft, and the astringency fades easily, making it highly valued for its color, shape, and flavor. Its sugar content exceeds 16%, which is higher than most other persimmon varieties. In addition, it contains more protein and calcium than pears and peaches, and more phosphorus than apples and pears. It is also rich in vitamins, malic acid, and carotene.
Persimmons are mainly found in areas such as Dahuashan, Nandu Lehe, Xia Gezhuang, Kaoshanji, Yukou, and Huangsongyu, with Nandu Lehe Town being the most abundant. The main varieties include Da Gai persimmons, Chutou persimmons, and Fire persimmons. In 1963, persimmon tree pruning was introduced as a technique. Between 1973 and 1974, comparative trials on pruning were conducted. After pruning, the fruit weight per 100 trees was 29.5 kg, and leaf weight per 100 trees was 0.4 kg. For trees that were not pruned, the fruit weight per 100 trees was 19 kg, and leaf weight was 0.28 kg. Pruned trees had a later leaf-falling period by 7-8 days, and fruit softening was delayed by 10 days. Additionally, the pruned trees showed stronger growth, with a more balanced canopy and well-developed inner branches, ensuring a clear main-to-branch relationship.
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