China's Hottest Fruit Unites the Nation's Summers

Cherries are the first taste of "fresh sweetness" as winter turns to spring. Rather than debating whether to call them yīngtáo or "cherries," why not bite into a Meizao or pop a handful of "ente'r" into your mouth, seizing the chance to savor this "seasonal limited" delight?

Who can resist a basket brimming with the sweetness of cherries?

In early March, Dalian Meizao cherries blush on the branches—sweet, early-ripening, and a prized fruit amid the lingering spring chill.

Dalian cherries: the gem among cherries!

By April, small cherries (Chinese cherries) kick off a broader sweetness relay across southwestern and northwestern regions. Sichuan locals even grade the sour-to-sweet levels of "ente'r" at different ripeness stages: jer-sour, liu-sour, mimim-sweet, min-sweet, and fei-sweet, with facial expressions shifting from puckered to radiantly joyful.

In Kunming, children "pick" cherries with their mouths in orchards.

From late May to June, large cherries (sweet cherries) surge nationwide, claiming the spotlight at fruit stalls! Their plump, heart-shaped redness pulses like a fluttering maiden's heart—who could resist?

Whether large or small, domestic cherries outshine once-overpriced imported ones, weaving a nationwide "cherry empire" that brings "cherry freedom" closer to reality!

Empowering Chinese people to achieve "cherry freedom"!

In the north, cherries are hailed as "spring's first fruit," a "ruby" among fruits.

"Bathing" red cherries appear exceptionally luscious.

As the saying goes, "Cherries are delicious but trees are hard to grow"—especially premium large varieties, which demand strict climate, soil, and humidity conditions, making them truly "heaven-chosen fruits."

In Laoshan's Beizhai, Qingdao, spring paints the hillsides with blooming cherry blossoms.

They dominate "half the kingdom" of China's cherry scene!

Shandong is China's top cherry-producing province!

By 2020, Shandong led China in fruit output (29.3891 million tons), with cherries ranking third (800,000 tons, 1.5 million mu), after apples and peaches.

At Zhanggezhuang Town's wholesale market in Fushan District, Yantai, Shandong,

farmers sort and box large cherries for nationwide distribution.

Shandong's cherry cultivation area and output both exceed half of the national total, solidifying its status as China's undisputed cherry capital.

As a cherry hub, every prefecture-level city in Shandong grows cherries, with Yantai reigning as the province's top producer!

In 1861, Yantai became one of the earliest treaty ports opened to foreign trade in northern China. American missionary John L. Nevius brought the first sweet cherry trees to Yantai, planting them in a manor called "Guangxing Orchard" in Fushan.

From then on, sweet cherries took root in Yantai, marking the beginning of Shandong's cherry industry.

At the Yantai Fushan Cherry Competition,

judges evaluate and score the participating sweet cherries.

Yantai is one of China's best cherry-producing regions, where cherries perfectly combine appearance and taste. Open-field cherries here gradually ripen in mid-to-late May—large, sweet, juicy, and diverse in varieties like "Red Lantern," "Van," "Black Pearl," "Lapins," and "Samitau"—ensuring there's one to make you fall in love.

Shandong's cherry excellence isn't limited to Yantai alone.

Near Yantai, Qingdao's Laoshan district, with its clear water and fertile soil, produces outstanding cherries. Beizhai village in Laoshan has over a century of cherry-growing history.

When cherry blossoms bloom, Qingdao becomes a scenic wonderland.

Rizhao's Wulian, located in the low mountainous hills of southeastern Shandong, enjoys ample sunlight and coastal proximity, ideal for cherry cultivation. Small cherries are a local traditional product with nearly 500 years of planting history.

Wulian cherries thrive, and farmers return with bountiful harvests.

Locals prefer calling them "simple cherries." Due to their thin skin and difficulty in transport, they rarely appear in markets. "Pick by April 8th"—these cherries have a fleeting 10-day ripening window, making them exceptionally precious.

Wulian cherries are plump and glistening, one after another.

In Linyi's Yinan County, the "Rainbow Mountain" produces vibrant, large, and delicious red cherries. Yedian Town in Mengyin County even has a small village called "Cherry Valley," where century-old trees still bear abundant fruit—a rare sight.

In Shandong's Zaozhuang Shanting, branches are laden with bright red cherries.

Beyond fresh eating, Shandong locals also dry cherries into preserves. Each bite releases the chewy sweetness of dried fruit and the fresh aroma of cherries, making it a year-round delicacy.

As another pinnacle of China's cherry regions, the "fashion capital" Dalian always leads cherry trends!

Situated at 39°N latitude, between the Bohai and Yellow Seas, Dalian's temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate and exceptional geography yield abundant produce.

These superior conditions make the coastal city of Dalian richly endowed.

If seafood represents one side of Dalian's bounty, sweet cherries are the other.

Dalian is globally recognized as one of the best sweet cherry-growing areas. In 2018, "Dalian Sweet Cherry" earned China's National Geographical Indication certification. The Chinese Horticultural Society's Cherry Branch further honored Dalian as China's first "Premium Sweet Cherry Demonstration Zone."

Dalian big cherries are not only good-looking but also delicious!

Photo by Zheng Zhi Bi Zhi Yan, Image courtesy of Tuchong Creative

In 2021, Dalian's big cherry production reached 260,000 tons, with greenhouse-grown cherries accounting for 118,000 tons, nearly 50% of the national total. The staggered harvests from warm greenhouses, cold greenhouses, and open fields ensure a continuous supply of fresh cherries from February to July, offering half a year of sweet indulgence.

Jinpu New Area is the main production region of "Dalian Big Cherries," contributing over half of the city's output. The cherries from Qidingshan Subdistrict are renowned for their pure flavor and superior quality, making it the core of the core in Dalian's cherry production.

Inside Dalian's cherry wholesale market,

local farmers are sorting and selling late-ripening cherries.

Dalian is the "chosen land" for big cherries!

Over the past 40 years, the two most popular, widely cultivated, and familiar cherry varieties in China—Hongdeng and Tieton—both originated in Dalian!

In the 1960s, the Dalian Academy of Agricultural Sciences bred the Hongdeng cherry through artificial hybridization, followed by a series of high-quality big cherry varieties with different ripening periods, such as Hongmi, Hongyan, Zaofeng, Jiahong, and Juhong, collectively known as the "Five Reds."

At the sorting and packaging workshop of Dalian's direct-picking cherry base,

modern professional processes significantly improve efficiency.

Currently, Hongdeng remains one of the most widely planted cherry varieties in Liaoning, Shandong, and other regions.

After the 1990s, the Dalian Academy of Agricultural Sciences introduced the premium American cherry variety Tieton and cultivated it extensively in Jinzhou, Lvshun, Zhuanghe, and other areas. To this day, Tieton remains one of the finest big cherry varieties.

Unripe cherries are green and thriving.

Thanks to the large diurnal temperature range, high water quality, and rich organic soil content, Dalian-grown Tieton cherries boast a deep purple-red skin, glossy appearance, crisp and juicy texture, and higher sugar content than ordinary cherries, making them irresistible.

The bright red big cherries resemble sparkling gemstones.

Many now consider Tieton one of the most delicious big cherry varieties, though its higher cultivation cost makes it pricier. Yet, for cherry enthusiasts, missing out on Dalian Tieton is a true regret.

Surprised? The northwest also grows big cherries!

Cold-resistant big cherries continue their journey inland along the Longhai Railway.

In the late 1990s, cities like Xi'an in Shaanxi and Tianshui in Gansu began large-scale cultivation of big cherries, forming another dense distribution area in China beyond Shandong and Liaoning.

Xi'an's Dafujing cherry blossom sea welcomes another blooming season, with pink and white flowers resembling clouds at sunset.

Shaanxi is a major fruit-producing province in China—its fruit output rivals that of Shandong, the "fruit basket," and its cultivation area has long ranked among the nation's highest.

Shaanxi spans three climate zones: mid-temperate, warm-temperate, and subtropical, and is divided by the Qinling and northern mountains into three vastly different geographical regions: northern Shaanxi, Guanzhong, and southern Shaanxi.

The fertile Guanzhong Plain serves as a cradle for diverse fruits.

Complex geography and climate conditions have shaped Shaanxi's rich variety of fruits, creating a "fruit stall" that blends northern and southern flavors, as well as an ideal region for cherry cultivation.

Shaanxi not only boasts a long history of cherry cultivation but also plays a pivotal role in the industry today. Statistics show that in 2020, Shaanxi's cherry output reached 143,000 tons, accounting for about 10% of the national total. Eighty percent of Shaanxi's cherry cultivation is concentrated in the Guanzhong region, including Xi'an, Baoji, Xianyang, Weinan, and Tongchuan.

In Hanzhong's Cherry Valley, freshly picked cherries are ready for sale.

"Baqiao cherries" are mainly grown in the shallow mountain areas of Bailu Plateau, Baling Slope, and Hongqing Mountain. They are large, brightly colored, and rich in flavor, with the best harvesting and tasting period from mid-May to early June. During this time, the Bailu Plateau in Baqiao also hosts a cherry tourism and cultural festival, combining fun and feasting.

Tongchuan, located on the southern edge of the Loess Plateau, experiences significant day-night temperature differences, resulting in exceptionally sweet cherries. In 2010, Tongchuan was awarded the title of "China's Capital of High-Quality Sweet Cherries," and "Tongchuan Big Cherry" has become a renowned variety in Shaanxi.

Cherries are also one of the important fruits in the Hanzhong Basin.

In Xixiang, Hanzhong, over 8,000 acres of cherry orchards have earned it the title of "Shaanxi's largest cherry production base." In early spring, cherry blossoms blanket the mountains like snow; by late April, crystal-clear red fruits hang from the branches, sweet and enticing.

Moving west from Shaanxi, Gansu is another key cherry-growing region.

Along the ancient Silk Road, Gansu's fruits form a "sweet belt" stretching over 1,600 kilometers. After all, Gansu is the only place in China whose name carries a hint of sweetness. Far from being dry, Gansu is sweet—and cherries are a vital part of its sweetness.

In Shijiazhuang Village, Longnan, Gansu, farmers harvest cherries using traditional methods.

Tianshui straddles the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, featuring a warm-temperate semi-humid to semi-arid climate, making it highly suitable for cherry cultivation.

In the 1980s, Tianshui introduced large-scale cherry cultivation, with Qinzhou District as the core. "Qinzhou Big Cherry" transformed from an outsider in this loess land to a renowned "authentic Gansu flavor."

Tianshui is a land of abundance, with picturesque landscapes.

Longnan, Gansu, is known for its stunning terrain and pleasant climate, often called the "Jiangnan of the Loess Plateau" and the first place in Gansu to welcome spring. In Wudu, Shijiazhuang Village in the mountains enjoys the reputation of "the premier cherry village of the Loess Plateau," where cherry blossoms paint the hillsides in early spring.

In Shijiazhuang Village, Chengguan Town, Wudu District, Longnan, cherry orchards are in full bloom.

"At the foot of Wufeng Mountain lies Shijiazhuang, where fruits fragrance the air year-round. When cherries turn red, unrecognizable faces appear, for this is the only busy season." Shijiazhuang's native small cherries have thin skin, small pits, and thick flesh, crystal-clear and bearing a noble name: Agate Cherry. During harvest, baskets of cherries become the locals' "fruit of prosperity."

The cherries had a bumper harvest, filling a large basket to the brim.

In the fruit "paradise" of Xinjiang, cherries are distributed from Kuqa near the Tianshan Mountains to Kashgar and Hotan in southern Xinjiang. The Tianshan cherries, growing on mountain slopes at elevations of 700-1600 meters, sound so ethereal by name alone that one can't help but crave a taste.

The vast lands of China's northwest are never short of the sweetness of cherries.

In Kuqa, Xinjiang, people pick cherries with joyful smiles.

Though small, the "Ente" cherries of the southwest are cherished.

Fig 1: Buwa Village, Weizhou Town, Wenchuan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

The cherry orchards atop the mountains have become a scenic sight.

Fig 2: Cherry blossoms cover the hillsides of Longhe Village, Longjie Town, Weining County, Bijie, Guizhou.

Sichuan also has large cherries, such as those in Maoxian, Wenchuan, and Hanyuan, but what locals rave about most is the native "Ente" cherry.

For every Sichuanese child far from home, there's a taste of hometown called "Ente."

In Nihe Village, Shanwang Town, Weiyuan County, Neijiang City, Sichuan, the "Ente" cherries are ripe.

When "Ente" cherries ripen in places like Jianyang Cherry Valley, Zhangmaopo in Xichang, Daxi Valley in Pujiang, and Haiwozi Ancient Town in Pengzhou, Sichuanese living elsewhere always yearn to return home for a taste of this seasonal delight. Note that the "Ente" cherry's peak flavor lasts only about 20 days, rivaling the bayberry season in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.

But there are always those who can't wait and take the risk to eat them early: as sweet as a ripe "Ente" is, an unripe one is equally sour.

Such beautiful "Ente" cherries—a big bite can sweeten the heart.

The yellow-red Panzhihua Miyi cherry is the top-tier "Ente" of Sichuan. Though small as pearls, they are concentrated gems—bright red, glossy, and sweet as agate.

Miyi cherries hit the market by mid-March, beating other "Ente" cherries that arrive in April. Come April, baskets of "Ente" cherries are hawked on the streets, bringing back the joy of Sichuanese.

Cherries for sale at a Sichuan market, ready for picking.

Though small, China's native cherries have a surprisingly wide reach in the south.

In Guizhou, Zhenning cherries are legendary! With mild winters and cool summers, Zhenning produces mainly Baishui (white-water) and Hongshui (red-water) cherries—the former larger and sweet-tart, the latter smaller but sweeter.

In Nayong, Guizhou, tiny cherries fill a heavy basket.

Located about 40 kilometers from Kunming, Chifu Town is also known as "Fengsheng Township," meaning "the place where the phoenix rises." Chifu cultivates nearly 4,000 acres of cherries, and every April, the sight of the cherries turning uniformly red is spectacular.

In Shiyan, Hubei, the cherry-growing region lies between the Qinling Mountains, Daba Mountains, and Wudang Mountains, boasting excellent climatic conditions. The Hanjiang cherries produced here, with their yellow-red hue, thick flesh, and delicious taste, are renowned in Hubei and surrounding areas. Due to their short ripening period and thin skin, cherries picked in the morning are best eaten the same day and should not be left overnight.

The small cherries of Shiyan, Hubei, are extremely delicate.

In Zhejiang, the Zhuji short-stem cherries feature yellow-white flesh, a fine texture, and are soft and juicy, making them another excellent variety of Chinese cherries.

Whether it's the large, sweet cherries (or sweet cherries, cherries) or the petite, translucent small cherries (or Chinese cherries, "ente'er"), cherries are a nationwide anticipation of sweetness from spring to summer.

Sweet cherries are also loved by birds!

Having read this far, why not buy some cherries to try?

👇‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

"Current Status and Development Prospects of the Sweet Cherry Industry in Shandong Province" by Liu Qingzhong et al.

"Development and Variety Trends of Large Cherries in China" by Wang Fengjuan