Shandong's Zhanhua autumn gem goes evergreen

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.

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

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]

From rain-fed gamble to tech-driven harvest

"As winter jujube farmers, we used to gamble on the weather. A good year can bring us a big harvest, while extreme weather might ruin a whole year's hard work," said Zhanhua's 28-year veteran, Wang Chunjun.

He now manages double-film houses equipped with smart climate control, fertigation, and pest monitoring, rather than open fields. "These high-tech tools not only save labor but also stabilize both the quality and yield of the winter jujubes," said Wang.

In recent years, Zhanhua has committed to winter jujube cultivation with increasing technological investment. Research institutes and post-doctoral stations have developed 10 superior lines, such as Zhandong-2 and -3, while a digital platform extends over 96,000 mu (6,400 hectares) across nine towns and 11 demonstration parks, collecting real-time data.

Technological innovation helps Zhanhua district develop its year-round winter jujube cultivation. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Furthermore, the district has established an agricultural development group that buys all its jujubes from cooperatives and manages flagship factory stores on JD.com and Douyin, delivering straight from farm to table. This year's Zhanhua winter jujube harvest is forecast to reach 375 million kilograms, generating nearly 8 billion yuan ($1.12 billion), solidifying its status as a golden brand.

From seasonal fruit to year-round flavor 

"Beyond fresh fruit, Zhanhua now offers over 10 year-round jujube-flavored products: buds tea, flower honey, crisp freeze-dried slices, jujube liquor, and carved jujube wood crafts," said a staff member of the Zhanhua Winter Jujube Development Exhibition Hall.

Technological innovations extend the fresh winter jujube season, while deep processing and cultural events enhance the value beyond fresh fruit.

Vacuum freeze-dryers preserve the flavor for 24 months, transforming 250,000 kg of fruit into 25,000 kg of crispy jujube snacks. Wineries produce winter jujube flavor liquor, rich in fructose and micronutrients. Poetry contests, wood-carving workshops, and the Zhanhua winter jujube festival enrich the cultural value chain.

"From one-season fresh to four-season sweet, a full-cluster industry spanning R&D, e-commerce, logistics, and tourism is emerging, sweetening the Bohai Bay all year long," said Chen Yujuan, director of Zhanhua district.

Various Zhanhua winter jujube pastries offer year-round sweetness. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

（chinadaily.com.cn）