The “Famous Fujian Banquet” Returns! Loquats Take Center Stage: Experience the Bounty of Spring Mountains and Seas in a Single Banquet!
After a six-year hiatus, the Loquat Banquet makes its return. A collaboration between a national geographical indication product and a famous Fujian banquet, this banquet celebrates the sweetness of the first fruit of spring in Fujian and the abundance of mountain and marine delicacies from Fuqing. On April 12 at 11:30 AM, the banquet will be held in the flourishing spring season at Yidu Middle School, Yidu Town, Fuqing, where golden loquats will be harvested at their peak.
Jointly presented by the People’s Government of Yidu Town, Fuqing City, and A Bite of Fuzhou of Fuzhou Daily, this year’s Loquat Banquet is grounded in Yidu’s advantageous loquat industry and gathers the strength of agricultural-supporting enterprises. By integrating loquat production and marketing, the event aims to effectively connect rural revitalization with consumption boosting.
From today, A Bite of Fuzhou and the Yidu Town People’s Government will jointly launch the “Urban-Rural Shared Prosperity Plan”. Local farmers, urban brands, creative talents, and consumers are all warmly invited to participate. Through the co-creation of brand identity, the Plan seeks to invigorate rural industries and support rural revitalization by building a uniquely characteristic “Yidu Loquat+” industry IP. The goal is to transform rural resources into sustainable brand influence. Whether through high-quality farm produce, artisanal craftsmanship, commercial collaboration, or media outreach, every participant contributes to writing a new story in urban-rural shared prosperity. Join now and empower joint brand and countryside development through mutual creation and shared success.
Yidu Loquats
Yidu Town boasts a total loquat cultivation area of approximately 50,000 mu, with an annual output exceeding 30,000 tons, making it one of the top three loquat-producing regions in Fujian Province. With a long history of loquat cultivation, Yidu has established the largest loquat demonstration orchard in the country, as well as Fujian’s first greenhouse loquat demonstration park. It has also become one of China’s largest bases for new loquat variety improvement.
Large in size, vibrant in color, thick-fleshed, juicy, and flavorful, Yidu loquats are renowned far and wide and have received numerous accolades. Recognized as a National Famous, Special, High-quality and New Agricultural Product, listed in the Catalogue of Chinese Specialty Agricultural Brands, awarded a national geographical indication trademark, and selected as one of Fujian’s Top Ten Regional Public Agricultural Brands, Yidu loquat is widely acclaimed both domestically and internationally as a quality Fujian agricultural product.
In 2019, the Fujian Provincial Catering and Culinary Industry Association awarded the Yidu Loquat Banquet the title of “Famous Fujian Banquet”. This year’s event marks the first revival in six years and features fresh, sweet, and juicy loquats as the main flavour element. Curated by a rural chef team, the banquet brings together rich local specialties from Fuqing’s mountains and seas, such as mountain goat, eel, crab, and white shrimp, for a uniquely springtime celebration in this slow-paced mountain town.
Fuqing ranks first in China in eel production. The nostalgic loquat-grilled eel wrapped rice uses premium Fuqing sea eel and fresh Yidu loquats, complemented by shrimp, dried razor clams, and other seafood. The dish infuses the richness of eel, the fragrance of loquat, and the freshness of seafood into glutinous rice, creating a layered and evolving flavor.
Fuqing mountain goat, known for its tender texture and light flavor, is a representative of Fuqing’s mountain cuisine. The traditional stew of premium mountain goat with loquat root innovatively pairs fresh goat meat with loquat root, and combines herbal aroma with the savory richness of the meat, becoming a must-try for Fuzhou locals who favor soups and broths.
The stewed whole Muscovy duck with female crab and loquat flowers brings together three authentic local ingredients: female crab full of roe, succulent aged duck, and fragrant loquat blossoms. This dish exemplifies the Fuqing cuisine’s characteristics of generous portions and rich flavors. The result is a broth that is fresh, sweet, oily, and aromatic with the unique flavor of both land and sea.
Spring is peak season for plump, flavorful razor clams, and Fuqing’s Sanhua sea clams, which feed on algae, are especially thick, delicious, and mouthwatering. The dish of “packed razor clams in childhood” features a simple and authentic cooking method: tightly packed clams are steamed in a container, showcasing the pure, authentic taste of Fuqing home-style razor clams.
Sweet and sour is a signature flavor profile in Fujian cuisine, and the crispy whole fish coated with mountain city loquat sauce puts a twist on the taste. The sauce’s refreshing sweet-and-sour taste comes from the flavor of loquat pulp. It reduces richness, enhances freshness, and carries the fragrant notes of loquat, offering a distinctly Yidu springtime taste.
Jiangyin-style braised tofu from memory is a traditional farmhouse dish originating from Jiangyin Town in Fuqing. A staple at Jiangyin banquets, this dish features aged tofu, seaweed, crab, Manila clams, and oysters, slow-cooked over low heat. The delicate tofu absorbs the umami of the seafood, delivering a dish that is simple in preparation yet rich in taste, aroma, and appearance.