Product Name: Huyou Pomelo (Changshan Huyou)
Description:
Huyou, also known as Changshan Huyou, is a unique local citrus landrace native to Changshan County, Zhejiang Province, China. It is a natural hybrid between pummelo and sweet orange (or sour orange), with a cultivation history spanning over 120 years in the Qingxi Town area. Recognized as a National Geographical Indication Product, Huyou is celebrated as the “King of Fruits” by provincial leaders and has earned the title “China's No.1 Hybrid Pomelo” for its exceptional quality.
A Pomelo That Keeps on Giving:
The defining feature of Huyou is its extraordinary storage life. Fruit harvested around the Start of Winter can be stored at room temperature without any treatment until April or May of the following year – and with proper preservation, even until June. The fruit actually improves in flavor during storage, with juice becoming richer and the texture more tender. This remarkable quality has earned it the nickname “Nature’s Little Canned Fruit” .
Flavor & Texture:
Huyou delivers a uniquely refreshing eating experience – crisp, juicy, and sweet-tart with a subtle, pleasant bitterness that sets it apart from ordinary pomelos. The flesh is tender and melting (化渣) , with a clean, lingering aftertaste. Soluble solids content ranges from 11% to 13.2%.
Nutritional Excellence:
Huyou is a nutritional powerhouse, containing 16 types of amino acids, vitamins, and essential minerals including phosphorus, potassium, iron, and calcium. Each 100g of juice provides 37.9–46.6mg of Vitamin C, with free amino acid content reaching 4,796ppm (including 1,289.9ppm of essential amino acids). In traditional Chinese medicine, Huyou is valued for its heat-clearing, cough-relieving, phlegm-resolving, and blood-lipid-lowering properties, as well as its benefits for skin health and longevity.
Appearance:
The fruit is pear-shaped, round, or oblate, with a golden-yellow skin and a thin rind (about 0.6cm). Average fruit weight is 200–400g, with an edible rate of approximately 69–70%. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and pale yellow to orange-yellow in color.
Key Commercial Advantages:
Exceptional Storage Life – Stores for 6–7 months with quality improving over time
Unique Sweet-Tart-Bitter Flavor – Highly distinctive and refreshing
National Geographical Indication Product – Protected origin ensuring authentic quality
Rich in Amino Acids & Vitamin C – Strong health and wellness appeal
Adaptable & Low-Maintenance – Thrives in hilly areas with minimal inputs
Extended Market Window – Fills the citrus off-season gap from April to June
The New “01-7” Variety:
The newly developed Huyou variety “01-7” represents a significant improvement over traditional Huyou. It features thinner skin, higher sugar content, better melting quality (化渣), reduced susceptibility to fruit drying (枯水), and even longer storage life. It is also more cold-resistant, making it suitable for a wider range of growing regions. This variety has become the primary cultivar for new plantings in Changshan.
Growing Regions:
Huyou is native to Qingxi Town, Changshan County, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province. It has been introduced to other regions in China, including Yueyang County in Hunan Province, and internationally to the United States (Florida) as early as 1830. Today, Changshan has over 100,000 mu of commercial Huyou orchards, producing 140,000 tonnes annually.
Cultivation Notes:
Climate: Subtropical evergreen fruit tree; suitable for hilly and mountainous areas
Rootstock: Trifoliate orange (枸桔) is recommended for dwarfing and early bearing
Planting Density: 35–45 trees per mu; spacing should allow for the large canopy
Fertilization: 3+ applications per year (budding, fruit-swelling, and post-harvest fertilizers)
Pruning: Train to a compact, open canopy; control height to 1.5–1.5m for ease of management
Harvest Season:
Early to mid-November – with the fruit capable of being marketed fresh through the following April to June. A premium late-autumn/winter variety that delivers exceptional storage life, unique flavor, and year-round market potential for fresh sales, juicing, and traditional medicinal applications.