Loquats are ready to be picked
Seasonal bounty
By Lyu Weiyi
As summer comes, more and more local fruits are available in the market.
Loquat
The loquat trees in Tangqi, a town in Linping district, are the first batch of loquats planted in the greenhouses. They are also heavy with ripening fruits.
There are mainly two types of loquats on the market. One with big reddish yellow pulps and the other with sweet white pulps. The latter is more expensive. The sweet fruit is rich in nutritions and has a medicinal value as an herb relieving cough and its leaves being conducive to treat stomach problems. For individuals who lose an appetite or have poor digestion, fresh loquat is a sensible choice.
Market prices of the two traits: 40 RMB/kg and 60 RMB/kg respectively
Picking period: Mid-May to early June
Production areas: Renhe subdistrict, Yuhang district and Tangqi Town, Linping district
Watermelon
Qiaosi watermelons, Hangzhou citizens' favorite breed known for its unique sweetness, has hit the shelf. Watermelons that ripen in April and May are the first batch that come onto the market.
The juicy and yummy Qiaosi watermelons are indispensable for beating the summer heat.
Price: 10-18 RMB/kg
Picking period: Now-September
Production area: Qiaosi Farm, Qiantang district
Waxberry
As one of the super popular fruits in summer, waxberries have already appeared in fruit stores. From 160 RMB/kg at the end of March to 40 RMB/kg at present, their prices are seen gradually dropping. However, the main breeds of local waxberries, Biqi and Dongkui, are both ripening relatively late. It is expected that a large number of local waxberries will be available in mid-June.
Native to Zhejiang, waxberries boast a history of over 2,000 years. Just as the loquats, they are of a great medicinal value, functioning in promoting digestion, relieving summer-heat, and being anti-diarrheal.
Price: 40-100 RMB/kg
Picking period: Mid-June—August
Production area: Mache village, Jiande