Changbai Mountain Blueberries (Jilin Changbai Specialty)

Introduction to Changbai Mountain Blueberries

Blueberries, known as the "king of fruits in the world", are listed as one of the five health foods for humans by the International Food and Agriculture Organization due to their rich amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements such as zinc, calcium, iron, and copper. In Jilin, Changbai Mountain blueberries are well-known both domestically and internationally

Changbai Mountain blueberries are a specialty of Changbai County, Jilin Province, and are protected as a national geographical indication in China. The protection of Changbai Mountain blueberry production areas covers 16 cities and counties in Jilin Province, including Changbai County, Jingyu County, Fusong County, Linjiang City, Jiangyuan District of Baishan City, Badaojiang District of Baishan City, Antu County, Wangqing County, Hunchun City, Helong City, Dunhua City, Tonghua County, Meihekou City, as well as Chibei District, Chixi District, and Chinan District of Changbai Mountain Protection and Development Zone Management Committee

Changbai Mountain blueberries are small berries that are a specialty of Changbai Mountain. Blueberries are oval shaped and weigh 0.5-1.0 grams per fresh fruit. Berries are blue purple with white powder. The flavor is slightly sour and has a special aroma, with a sour and slightly astringent taste. The seeds are extremely small, with almost no sensation upon entry, and a 100% edible rate. Changbai Mountain blueberries have unique flavor, suitable sour and sweet taste, and good taste. They can be used for consumption, making beverages, spices, and brewing

Changbai Mountain is a representative area of alpine flora and fauna in Northeast China, and also a resource rich region. Appropriate ecological conditions are conducive to the growth of blueberries in Changbai Mountain. The annual average precipitation at the southwest foot of the main peak of Changbai Mountain in Jilin Province is 763-834 millimeters, with an average temperature of 2-5.3 ℃, an annual maximum temperature of 36.5 ℃, a minimum temperature of -42.2 ℃, and an annual effective accumulated temperature between 1800-2850 ℃. The sunshine hours are 2259 hours, the frost free period is 90-145 days, and the abundant surface water and suitable rainfall provide suitable soil moisture for the growth of blueberries in Changbai Mountain, resulting in lush growth

What are the nutritional values of Changbai Mountain blueberries

1. Common Nutrients

Blueberries have delicate flesh, unique flavor, moderate sweetness and sourness, and a pleasant aroma. Blueberries are rich in conventional nutrients such as protein and vitamins, as well as considerable amounts of minerals and trace elements. Therefore, blueberries are truly known as the "Queen of Fruits"

2. Special Nutrients

1. Anthocyanins

Anthocyanins are very important plant water-soluble pigments, belonging to pure natural anti-aging nutritional supplements, and are currently the most effective antioxidant bioactive agents discovered by humans. Blueberries have a very high content of anthocyanins, and the types of anthocyanins are also very rich. Research has found that high bush blueberries contain as many as 15 types of anthocyanins. Although the content of anthocyanins in different varieties of blueberries is not the same, the general content is relatively high

2. Total and Organic Acids

Organic acids account for more than half of the total acid content in blueberries. Most of the organic acids are citric acid, while others include ursolic acid, quinic acid, and malic acid. It should be emphasized that ursolic acid, also known as ursolic acid, belongs to a weakly acidic pentacyclic triterpenoid compound. It is a functional component of various natural products and has a wide range of biological activities, especially in anti-tumor and other fields

3. Phenolic acids

Blueberries contain various polyphenolic substances, among which phenolic acids are an important class. Phenolic acid substances are a type of phenolic substance that have good nutritional functions and pharmacological activities such as antioxidant activity. There are more than ten types of phenolic acids in blueberries, among which chlorogenic acid, also known as coffee tannic acid, has the highest content. Research has found that it has a significant inhibitory effect on various cancers (lung cancer, esophageal cancer, etc.), and its antioxidant effect is also very strong

4. Superoxide Dismutase

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) is an acidic metalloenzyme widely present in living organisms. It is an important free radical scavenger in living organisms, and its main function is to specifically remove superoxide anion free radicals produced in biological oxidation. It is known as the "health gold of the 21st century". Blueberries are rich in SOD content, although there are slight differences in SOD content among different varieties of blueberries, the overall difference is not significant

5. Pectin

Pectin is a general term for a type of polysaccharide polymer. Scientific research has found that pectin can effectively clear undigested chyme and other toxic substances in the human body, while also helping to regulate postprandial blood sugar and intestinal microbiota balance. It also plays a good role in preventing and assisting the treatment of various modern "civilization diseases". Blueberries are rich in pectin, which is about 1-3 times the pectin content of typical apples or bananas

How did the history of Changbai Mountain blueberries come about

In the fifth section of the eighth chapter of the natural section of the "Fusong County Annals", it is recorded in the wild rare plants that the Blue Dian fruit, commonly known as the Goryeo grape, is mixed among the trees. The fruit is small, young, and ripe with indigo, and matures in July and August. It has a sweet and sour taste, can be eaten or brewed into wine, and is the most effective medicine for treating eye problems. It is a good fruit and is widely consumed and sold by women and children to support small profits