中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

Loquat Feast (File Photo by Chen He)

To boost loquat sales, Fuzhou Daily, in collaboration with Yidu Town, launched the Yidu Loquat Consumption Season on April 13 (Sunday), under the theme “Nationwide Shopping to Spur Consumption, Urban-Rural Relay for Shared Prosperity,” to deliver fresh loquats directly to consumers. This event leveraged Yidu’s advantages in the loquat industry and, after a 6-year hiatus, reintroduced the famous Fujian feast, the “Loquat Feast,” offering a flavorful way to integrate loquat production and sales with rural revitalization and efforts to stimulate consumption.

Loquats as a Medium

Launching anInitiativeofShared Prosperity by BrandCo-creation

Yidu Town is one of the three major loquat-producing areas in Fujian Province, with about 50,000 mu of loquat orchards and an annual yield exceeding 30,000 tons. It is the largest loquat cultivation demonstration park in China and Fujian’s first greenhouse loquat demonstration park. It also serves as a key national base for thedevelopment andimprovement of new loquat varieties.

Yidu loquats are renowned for their large size, vibrant color, thick flesh, and juicy sweetness. They have earned numerous honors, including the titles of “National Famous, Special and Excellent New Agricultural Products,” “National Geographical Indication Certification Trademark,” and “Top Ten Agricultural Product Regional Public Brands in Fujian.” These loquats are recognized as “Fujian’s Premium Agricultural Product.”

On April 8, the reporter saw farmers skillfully harvesting the golden yellow loquats from the branches as they moved through the vast loquat orchards in Yidu Town.

Zhang Hengbiao, a familiar face in the orchard, has been working with loquats for over 20 years. While busy picking the loquats, he happily shared with the reporter, “Loquats are of exceptional qualitythis year, with higher sugar content and delicate flesh. The priceis also higher compared toprevious years, ranging from 20 to 40 yuan per kilogram, yet they remain in high demand.”

The joy of the harvest comes from the upgrading and development of the local loquat industry. In recent years, Yidu Town has focused on its unique resources to build the “Yidu Loquat” brand. It has introduced high-quality varieties such as “San Yue Bai” and “Bai Mi” while also promoting the use of organic fertilizers and standardized planting techniques, all of which have enhanced the quality and efficiency of the loquat industry.

It is reported that to promote the integration of loquat production and sales, effectively linking “rural revitalization” with “boosting consumption,” and helping farmers increase their income while transforming the industry, the organizers have launched an initiative of shared prosperity by brand co-creation. Centered around single loquats, this initiative empowers the entire industry chain through brand partnerships, creating a symbiotic, mutually beneficial ecosystem among agriculture, businesses, consumers, and the regional economy,ensuring that the sweetness of loquats reaches households far and wide.

A Return of the Loquat Feast

Featuring 15 Exquisite Dishesin Total

If loquats are the gift of spring, the “Loquat Feast” is a perfect embodiment of this seasonal delight.After six years, the “Loquat Feast,” which was awarded the title of “Famous Fujian Feast” by the Fujian Catering and Cooking Industry Association in 2019, is once again being held in the mountainous countryside of Yidu Town.With the sweet and plump loquats as the main feature, a local culinary team will blend Fuqing’s mountain and sea specialties to craft 15 exquisite dishes that delight the senses with their vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and rich flavors. This marks the start of a spring celebration unique to the tranquil, mountainous town.

The charmof the “Loquat Feast” lies in its ability to turn every part of the loquat, from the fruit to the flowers, leaves, and even the roots, into delectable components. The golden loquat flesh adds a burst of color, while the fresh loquat flowers release a subtle fragrance, and the roots are slow-cooked into rich, savory broths. From the aroma to the flavor, from the visual appeal to the texture, each dish offers a multi-sensory journey that touches the heart of every diner.

This year’s “Loquat Feast” menu has been unveiled, featuring 15 exquisite dishes, such as Traditional Stew of Premium Mountain Goat with Loquat Root, Nostalgic Loquat-Grilled Eel Wrapped Rice, and Mountain City Loquat Pastry Filled with Savory Fish, among others.

The “Traditional Stew of Premium Mountain Goat with Loquat Root” is one of the signature dishes. This dish slowly simmers tender, subtly gamey Fuqing mountain goat meat with loquat roots for hours. The broth has a fragrant aroma, while the goat meat melts in your mouth. The herbal fragrance blends harmoniously with the savory meat, making it an ideal choice for Fuzhou locals who appreciate a flavorful, hearty soup.

The “Nostalgic Loquat-Grilled Eel Wrapped Rice” beautifully blends land and sea ingredients. Fuqing is the top producer of eel in China, and this dish features plump sea eel paired with the fresh loquat flesh from Yidu, complemented by shrimp and dried clams, all incorporated in soft, sticky rice. The rich eel, the sweet loquats, and the fresh ocean flavors create a harmonious contrast on the palate, resulting in a complex and unforgettable taste.

The “Stewed Whole Muscovy Duck with Female Crab and Loquat Flowers” is a true embodiment of Fuqing’s mountain and sea flavors. The rich, fatty female crab brings the sweet essence of the sea, while the aged Muscovy duck imparts the deep, savory richness of the mountains. The fragrant loquat flowers add a subtle, refreshing aroma. These three ingredients are slow-cooked together, resulting in a broth that is rich but not greasy, bursting with fresh flavors and leaving a lasting aftertaste.

To offer more people the chance to savor these exquisite dishes, the organizers have limited the feast to just 30 tables. Each table is priced at 1,688 yuan, covering only the cost of ingredients, with no additional charges for preparation or service. For reservations, please contact Ms. Ye at 18705977818.

The event also provides a dedicated shuttle service for the “Loquat Feast.” Citizens who have reserved a seat for the feast can take the tour bus to Yidu Town free of charge, but availability is limited. For more information, please contact Mr. Huang at 18950496986. (Fuzhou Evening News Reporter:Wang Guanghui)