Beijing preserved fruit enjoys an international reputation for its unique taste and elaborate packages. It is said that in the Ming Dynasty, this preserved fruit was a Royal light refreshment and then spread to the common folk. The "Beijing Preserved Fruits" theory became well-known at home and abroad in the late Qing Dynasty. The production technique is said to be inherited from the imperial kitchen.

Since “preserved fruit” sounds like "wealth of nation" in Chinese, it was favored by the court. Experts discovered in the historical records of time-honored brands such as "Jushunhe", "Juchengyong" and "Sanshun," that the predecessor of Beijing Hongluo Food Company is “Jushunhe” and was founded in 1909. The sweet taste was made either with honey or sugar. To differentiate between them, preserved fruit marinated in honey is called honey glazed fruit and the kind made by sugar is called preserved fruit. There are a variety of candied and preserved fruits in Beijing.

The distinction between candied fruits and preserved fruits, according to the native standard in Beijing, lies in the proportion of liquid and juice. The candied fruits are totally dried, like preserved apple, pear, apricot, peach, pear-leaved crab-apple, flowering crab-apple, tsao, green plum and haw. All of these variations are processed and boiled in sugar water before being dried. They look bright brown, golden or amber, though dry and slightly sticky with below 20% moisture content.

There is a variety of candied and preserved fruits in Beijing. The distinction between candied fruits and preserved fruits, according to the native standard in Beijing, lies in the proportion of liquid and juice. The candied fruits are totally dried, like preserved apple, pear, apricot, peach, pear-leaved crab-apple, flowering crab-apple, tsao, green plum and haw, all of which are processed and boiled in sugar water before being dried.

They look bright brown, golden or amber, though dry and slightly sticky with below 20% moister.The preserved fruits are nutritious of fruit essence, mineral, vitamin C which are valuable to human body.

The traditional art for "Beijing Preserved Fruit" thus started to apply for intangible cultural heritage,according to the Culture Committee of Huairou District. It is reported that original store of "Jushunde" is still located in Dashilan, and the traditional brand is expected to move back to the site.

Where to try it?

Preserved fruits are available in supermarkets and large groceries.