4Sichuan's Huili County is famous for its pomegranate production, as the soil, climate, and sunlight are all conducive to pomegranate growth. In particular, the vast plateaus and gentle slopes at altitudes ranging from 1300 to 1800 meters have good soil quality, open terrain, abundant sunlight, rich heat, suitable temperatures, and significant temperature differences between day and night during the ripening season. These unique natural conditions have nurtured the outstanding quality of Huili pomegranates. They have large fruits with thin skin, bright color, large juicy seeds, sweet taste, and abundant juice. They are rich in various vitamins and amino acids, with a rich flavor and high nutritional value. The pomegranate cultivation area in Huili accounts for 92% of Sichuan Province's pomegranate cultivation area and 26% of the national pomegranate cultivation area. It is also a world-renowned major pomegranate growing region, earning the title of "Hometown of Chinese Pomegranates".
Huili has a long history of pomegranate cultivation. As early as the Tang Dynasty, pomegranates from Huili were designated as tribute by the emperor. Every year, the king of Nanzhao would send them to the imperial palace, becoming a delicacy enjoyed by the aristocracy. Among the pomegranate varieties in Huili, the Tunisian soft-seeded pomegranate is currently a superior variety in China. It is also a unique local variety with large fruits, thin skin, large seeds, abundant juice, soft seeds, sweet taste, rich flavor, excellent quality, strong aroma, and a smooth texture that dissolves in the mouth. It is renowned as having "transparent seeds like pearls and a rich sweet taste like honey". The Tunisian soft-seeded pomegranate was gifted to China with 6 pomegranate saplings in 1986, when Tunisia established diplomatic relations with China. It settled in the Huili pomegranate base and, after more than ten years of careful cultivation and selection, has adapted to the red and white soils of China, becoming a unique soft-seeded pomegranate variety in Huili. Unlike other pomegranate varieties, Huili's soft-seeded pomegranates are not only large in size with a beautiful red color and high sugar content but more importantly, they have softer seeds compared to other varieties in the world. This means that there is no need to remove the seeds while eating. It can be eaten like watermelon, making it more convenient and safe for the elderly and children.
Huili County, located in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, is a well-known hometown of pomegranates in China. Huili is one of the eight major pomegranate production areas in China, with a large scale of pomegranate cultivation and high production. When you look out over the origins of pomegranates in Huili, it is far from the city, and all you can see is greenery, with fresh and clean air. The abundant sunlight and abundant water sources, as well as the fertile soil, allow Tunisian pomegranates to grow large and juicy. When the fruits start to form, the farmers will put a fruit bag on each pomegranate to prevent pests and damage from strong winds. It also protects against strong ultraviolet rays and sunlight that could burn the pomegranates. During the ripening period, the Tunisian soft-seeded pomegranates continuously accumulate sugar content in the significant temperature differences between day and night. Each ripe pomegranate that falls from the tree will have a sweetness level of 15° or higher. The fruit matures from mid-August to November. When the pomegranate skin turns reddish and the fruit becomes large and plump, the farmers pick the fresh pomegranates early in the cool morning and put them into baskets. They then carefully select the fruits again, removing any bad or cracked ones. The large and plump Tunisian pomegranates are securely wrapped in foam nets, packed in boxes, and sent fresh from their place of origin. By the time they reach consumers, they are still fresh and delicious!
Huili County, surrounded by mountains and magnificent landscapes, has a unique advantage in pomegranate cultivation. With its suitable natural conditions and the efforts of pomegranate farmers, Huili's pomegranates have become famous both domestically and internationally. The development of big data technology can further promote the communication and exchange of information about Huili's pomegranates, allowing more people to understand and appreciate the unique qualities of this "Hometown of Pomegranates". With the advancement of technology, more precise and targeted marketing can be carried out to expand the market for Huili's pomegranates and increase their visibility and competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. Moreover, big data analysis can also provide valuable insights into the cultivation process, allowing farmers to make more informed decisions and improvements. With the combination of traditional knowledge and modern technology, Huili's pomegranates can continue to flourish and bring joy to people's lives.
