[Smart Farmers] Eating and appreciating dates: the date culture unique to the Chinese

Chinese people have an indissoluble bond with jujube. Jujube is a unique fruit tree native to my country. Archaeological data proves that my country has a history of using, domesticating and cultivating jujube for more than 7,000 years. In the long process of natural evolution and artificial selection, jujube varieties have been continuously enriched. At present, there are nearly 1,000 jujube varieties in my country.

Different jujube varieties have different fruit sizes and shapes

When talking about jujube, people often think of the fragrance and sweetness of jujube fruit, but few people know that many jujube varieties also have high ornamental value. Now, let us go into the ornamental jujube, jump out of the taste barrier, take a look at the other side of jujube, and explore the cultural significance of jujube.

There are many varieties of ornamental jujube trees in China. For example, "pepper jujube", "gourd jujube", "horse tooth jujube", "grindstone jujube", "teapot jujube", etc. These varieties are named after the shape of the fruit. "Teapot jujube" is a typical representative. Its fruit surface is smooth, and the fruit is round to oval. There are 2 to 4 diagonally arranged fleshy protrusions on the shoulder or near the shoulder, which are connected to the oval jujube fruit. It looks like a small and exquisite teapot with a spout and a handle. It adds a bit of innocence and simplicity to the freshness and elegance, which is very lovable. The Mid-Autumn Festival is the season when jujube fruits are ripe. The jujube tree raises its hand and holds the teapot high, swaying in the breeze, as if sending a warm invitation to the heaven and earth and passers-by: "Can you have a drink?"

Fruit shape of "Teapot Date"

The color of mature "Teapot Dates"

Ink line drawing of "Teapot Date" (drawn by Hu Dongmei)

"Dragon Date", also known as "Dragon Beard Date". It has a natural and strange shape, with branches that are crooked and extend in all directions, twisting and winding, lingering in circles, up or down, left or right, like a group of dragons flying and splashing ink. "Dragon Date" is particularly suitable for making bonsai, and can also be used for garden planting, where you can see the stems, branches, leaves and fruits. Looking at the posture of this "Dragon Date" tree, it must be that an immortal, who was attached to the fragrance and beauty of the date, wrote a scroll of cursive script, right?

The winding shape of the branches of "Longzao"

The tree shape of "Dragon Date"

The Chinese have cultivated many varieties of ornamental jujube trees, which reflects the Chinese people's love and affection for jujubes. "Peeling jujubes in August, harvesting rice in October", jujubes have appeared in the Book of Songs more than 2,000 years ago. The "Song People's Jujube Hunting Picture" from the Song Dynasty depicts the scene of many children competing to hunt for jujubes. Planting and picking jujubes is an important part of labor life, and its status can be seen. Du Fu once wrote in his poem, "In August, pears and jujubes are ripe in front of the courtyard, and I can climb the tree a thousand times a day." The deliciousness of jujubes is desirable. Bai Juyi even wrote a poem specifically for the jujube tree, "If you make a big cart, the axle material must be this", sincerely praising the tough and tenacious but restrained and low-key qualities of the jujube tree, giving the jujube a deeper cultural meaning.

As a cultural symbol, dates are fully reflected in Chinese folklore. In some areas of Guangdong, five red dates are placed in the teacup when drinking tea, which means "five sons pass the imperial examinations and get promoted soon". In some areas of the Central Plains, there is a custom of "feeding date trees" on Laba Festival, which means worshipping ancestors and gods and having a good harvest in the coming year. In wedding ceremonies, jujube wood furniture is indispensable in the new house. The dates in the corner of the bed in the bridal chamber represent the good wishes of a harmonious family and early birth of a son.

The Chinese people have grown together with the jujube tree, paying attention to and loving it, and also getting nourishment and nutrients from it. In the course of history, the jujube is no longer just a jujube. It has gone beyond the definition of a crop and medicine, and has been endowed with multiple values ​​such as aesthetics and culture, becoming an important cultural carrier. This change demonstrates the Chinese people's careful observation of nature and their unremitting pursuit of beauty.

In addition to eating dates, don’t forget to appreciate dates and their culture.

Author: Li Yingyue, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University

Scientific review: Hu Dongmei, Senior Laboratory Technician, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University

Planning: Zhan Zhao

Proofreading: Yan Yumeng (internship)