This super sour fruit can be found in many places, but only people in Jiangxi can let you taste its deliciousness!

When you think of sour jujube, what image comes to your mind? Is it the wild jujube commonly seen in the mountains?

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

I bet that friends from Jiangxi must think of this Jiangxi snack called "Nan Suanzao Cake" -

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

This snack is sour and sweet, super delicious and appetizing. But what you don't know is that the "sour jujube" that makes this snack is actually distributed in many provinces, but because it is too sour, few people pick it and eat it directly. In Jiangxi, it has changed from a "wild fruit" to a "golden fruit", and from being ignored to becoming a famous "cake" in Jiangxi. With the rise of Internet e-commerce, it has entered the top ten sales list of snack foods and is eaten by many people.

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

So, what exactly is "Southern Jujube"? Let's talk about it today.

What is sour jujube?

Although the southern jujube is often called "sour jujube", it is completely different from the real jujube. They are two completely different fruits and are not even related. The real jujube is a plant of the genus Ziziphus in the family Rhamnaceae. It is a shrub or small tree with a tree height of mostly between 1 and 4 meters. It is also known as thorn, wild jujube, and mountain jujube. The southern jujube is a deciduous tree of the genus Ziziphus in the family Anacardiaceae. The tree height can reach more than 20 meters. It is also called mountain jujube, five-eyed fruit, snot fruit, and nose jujube. The appearance of the southern jujube is oval or oblong, with a thick peel. When ripe, the color will change from green to light yellow or golden yellow. Although the jujube is not big, it has an extra-large pit inside. The flesh is very little and only adheres to the pit. Usually, if you squeeze it gently with your hands, the flesh will flow out like snot, so it is vividly called "snot fruit".

Image source: wiki

The Chinese jujube is nicknamed "sour and astringent fruit". Even when ripe, it is still very sour and difficult to swallow. Therefore, it is often processed and eaten, such as Chinese jujube cake, Chinese jujube slices, Chinese jujube grains, Chinese jujube beverages, Chinese jujube wine, etc. Among them, Chinese jujube cake is particularly popular and deeply loved by people. No acidulant needs to be added, and the taste is naturally sour.

So why did Jiangxi become the "hometown of southern sour jujube cake"? This is due to many favorable factors:

Geographical factors: Choerospondias australis grows mostly on hillsides, hills or valley forests at an altitude of 300 to 2,000 meters. In Chongyi, Jiangxi, the forest coverage rate is as high as 88.3%, providing a relatively closed and stable evergreen broad-leaved forest community, which provides extremely favorable climatic and geographical conditions for the growth of Choerospondias australis. It provides an ideal environment for the growth of Choerospondias australis.

Policy factors: The county government's policy support and special fund investment have provided a solid foundation for the development of the industry; the cooperation between scientific research institutions and enterprises has broken through the processing technology difficulties and promoted the progress of industrial technology; the complete industrial chain from germplasm resource protection to product sales has ensured the systematicness and market competitiveness of the industry;

Image source: e-commerce platform

The growth of market demand and product diversification have made the Chinese jujube a specialty product of Jiangxi Province. The significant economic benefits have not only promoted the revitalization of local rural areas, but also driven farmers' income growth and technological innovation of enterprises, and realized intelligent and mechanized production. The combined effect of these factors has made the Chinese jujube industry an important way for economic growth and farmers' income growth in Jiangxi Province.

Nutrition of sour jujube

Choerospondias australis is oval or ovate in shape. If you squeeze a ripe Choerospondias australis gently, the flesh will flow out like "snot", which is the origin of its name "snot fruit". In terms of nutrition, in addition to a good content of vitamin C, it also contains dietary fiber, flavonoids and polyphenol compounds.

1

Pectin

Data shows that the dietary fiber content of sour jujube is 1.43 grams per 100 grams. Although this content is not excellent, sour jujube is rich in pectin. Pectin is a soluble dietary fiber that has the characteristics of absorbing water and swelling. It can enhance satiety, promote gastrointestinal motility, prevent constipation, and is beneficial to intestinal health. It also helps prevent obesity and diabetes. The pectin content of sour jujube is about 5%. The pectin content of apples, pears, peaches, plums and other fruits that we usually eat is 0.5%~1.0%, the pectin content of strawberries is 0.5%~1.4%, and the pectin content of grapes is about 0.6%.

2

Antioxidant ingredients

Choerospondias australis contains rich flavonoids and polyphenols, both of which are antioxidants that can help us resist chronic inflammation in the body. Among them, flavonoids are one of the most biologically active components of Choerospondias australis, and polyphenols are mainly found in the peel.

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

The fruit core of the southern jujube is very special

Don't throw away the Chinese sour jujube after eating it. If you observe carefully, you will find the peculiarity of the fruit core. There are five neatly arranged small holes on the top of the oval fruit core, which looks like five eyes, so it is also called "five-eye fruit", which also means "five blessings come to the door".

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

There are six different types of seed holes in the fruit core of the sour jujube, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Among them, the sour jujube fruit core with 5 seed holes is the most common, accounting for 77%. If the fruit core is cultivated, each of its small holes can grow a small bud, and each small bud is an independent plant. Some people also make bracelets with the fruit core of the sour jujube, which are called "bodhi seeds", giving it auspicious meaning and increasing cultural value. This fruit with a unique flavor is definitely worth a try!

References

[1] Lu Yilong, Fan Yong, Liu Ying, et al. Research progress and development strategies of sour jujube[J/OL]. Chinese Fruit Trees, 1-8[2024-10-22]. https://doi.org/10.16626/j.cnki.issn1000-8047.2024.11.001.

[2] Wang Xiangdong, Liang Daqi, Ma Yanzhi. Comparison and comprehensive evaluation of the quality of jujube fruit and kernel from different origins[J]. Journal of Chinese Agricultural Science and Technology, 2023, 25(06): 50-58. DOI: 10.13304/j.nykjdb.2022.0282.

[3] Wang Zhaojun. Study on the flavor of southern jujube and preparation of nutritionally enhanced jujube cake[D]. Nanchang University, 2014.

[4] Liu Xiaogeng, Chen Yousheng. Component analysis of the fruit of Choerospondias axillaris[J]. Chinese Wild Plant Resources, 2000, (03): 35-40.

[5] BU Chaozhi. Analysis of nutritional components and processing and utilization of Choerospondias axillaris fruit[J]. Chinese Wild Plants, 1992, (01): 32-36.

[6] Yan Zhen, Nie Jiyun, Li Haifei, Xu Guofeng, Li Zhixia, Li Jing, Wu Yonglong, Wu Xi, Wang Kun. Study on pectin content and grading standards of apple varieties[J]. Chinese Fruit Trees, 2012(2):26-29.

[7] Wu Yinting, Wang Xin, Nie Xianyong, et al. Research progress on active ingredients and applications of Choerospondias axillaris[J]. Food Science and Technology, 2024, 49(07): 82-87. DOI: 10.13684/j.cnki.spkj.2024.07.006.

[8] Long Guigen, Huang Zhiyun, Wu Nansheng, et al. Variation and comprehensive evaluation of fruit traits of Choerospondias axillaris germplasm resources [J/OL]. Journal of Tropical and Subtropical Botany, 1-10 [2024-10-22]. http://122.152.207.209:8085/kcms/detail/44.1374.q.20240930.1448.004.html.

[9] Ou Bin, Zhu Jianghua, Chen Qianxiang, et al. Analysis of differences in kernel size and seed hole number of Choerospondias axillaris[J]. Southern Agriculture, 2023, 17(19): 11-15. DOI: 10.19415/j.cnki.1673-890x.2023.19.003.

Planning and production

Author: Xue Qingxin, member of Chinese Nutrition Society, registered dietitian, health manager, public nutritionist

Review | Ruan Guangfeng, Deputy Director of Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center