China is a country with a very large population and a deep history and culture. Many countries have special things like flags and songs to represent them, and many also choose a national fruit that shows their unique farming history. China is famous for growing many different kinds of fruits, and the kiwifruit is the country’s special national fruit.
This article will tell you all about the kiwifruit, how it became China’s national fruit, and what makes it special, including its looks and the good things it does for your body.
National symbols are very important in showing the world who we are as a country. Just like people know a country by its flag or national flower, a national fruit can say a lot about a country’s farming. China has chosen the kiwifruit as its representative fruit.
Table of Contents
- China’s Choice: The Kiwifruit
- How the Kiwifruit Looks and Its Traits
- Why the Kiwifruit Matters to China
- Its Place in History
- What the Fruit Stands for
- The Kiwifruit and China’s Economy
- Growing and Eating Kiwifruit in China
- Sending Kiwifruit to Other Countries
- Kiwifruit’s Good Effects on Health
- Why Kiwifruit is Healthy
- Healing Powers of the Kiwifruit
- Different Types of Kiwifruit in China
- Kiwifruit Varieties Across the Country
- How to Enjoy Kiwifruit
- Summing Up the Kiwifruit’s Importance
- Common Questions & Answers
- Is the kiwifruit originally from China?
- What good things happen to your body when you eat kiwifruit?
- What are some ways kiwifruit is eaten in China?
- Do a lot of kiwifruits get sold to other countries by China?
- Why is kiwifruit special in Chinese culture?
China’s Choice: The Kiwifruit
China has picked the fuzzy brown kiwifruit as its national fruit because it’s valuable to the country’s economy, it’s healthy for people to eat, and it’s part of China’s history of farming.
The kiwifruit, sometimes called the Chinese gooseberry, is small, shaped like an oval, has brown, hairy skin, and bright green inside. Even though its name sounds like the little kiwi bird from New Zealand, where the fruit became popular, it has deep roots in China.
How the Kiwifruit Looks and Its Traits
The kiwifruit has a brown, fuzzy outside, and when you cut it open, you find bright green and tasty flesh. It’s known for having lots of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. People love it for its unique sweet-yet-tart taste.
Why the Kiwifruit Matters to China
Its Place in History
In China’s past, especially during the Tang Dynasty from the years 618 to 907, people called the kiwifruit “Yang Tao.” They thought it had special powers to keep you healthy and that it helped people have children. It was a popular gift at weddings.
What the Fruit Stands for
Kiwifruit isn’t just a part of China’s past. Today, it’s a sign of good things, like luck and money. During the Chinese New Year, the fruit is used in celebrations, and its green color is thought to bring wealth.
The Kiwifruit and China’s Economy
Growing and Eating Kiwifruit in China
China grows a lot of kiwifruit. In fact, it grows more than any other country in the world, which is more than half of all the kiwifruits out there. They grow in many places like Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Yunnan, and it’s a popular fruit among the Chinese people. In 2020, each person in China ate about 2.2 kg of kiwifruit.
Sending Kiwifruit to Other Countries
China doesn’t just grow kiwifruit for its own people. It also sends lots of kiwifruit to other places around the world. In 2020, China exported over 400,000 tons of kiwifruit, mainly to places like Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
Kiwifruit’s Good Effects on Health
Why Kiwifruit is Healthy
Kiwifruit is packed with things that are good for you. If you eat just one kiwifruit, you get all the vitamin C you need for the day and it also has other vitamins, minerals, and a lot of fiber. It’s especially good for your heart and can help keep your body safe from sicknesses.
Healing Powers of the Kiwifruit
Beyond being full of nutrients, the kiwifruit is also like a natural medicine. It has an enzyme called actinidin that helps you digest food and can make your stomach feel better. Kiwifruit also has antioxidants that help protect your body’s cells and lower your chances of getting serious illnesses like cancer or heart disease.
Different Types of Kiwifruit in China
Kiwifruit Varieties Across the Country
There are many different kinds of kiwifruit grown in China. One of the most well-known is the Hayward type, but there are others like Qinmei and Jintao too.
How to Enjoy Kiwifruit
You can eat kiwifruit in all sorts of ways. In China, people mostly enjoy it fresh or add it to salads. Around the world, folks might use it in sweet dishes, put it on top of their cereal or yogurt, or blend it into a drink.
Summing Up the Kiwifruit’s Importance
The kiwifruit represents a lot about China, like its farming history and how the country wants people to see it. It’s full of health benefits and is eaten and sent to many places all over China. All these reasons show why the kiwifruit is the perfect choice for China’s national fruit.
