Mixed salad the Chinese way then 200 samples of the goods each day to check if they are suit- able for consumption. If a product does not meet up to our standard, we remove it immediately and destroy the whole batch,” an offi- cial of the Jiangnan Fruit and Veg- etable Wholesale Market said. The vegetable market comprises RUWINI JAYAWARDANA several sections where packing, in Guangdong loading and selling the goods takes place. ows and rows of neatly Special sections have been cate- stacked Chinese cabbage, gorized for fruits and vegetables R carrots, white turnip, win- which are imported from each area million at times, the market accom- stores. Living in Guanzhou is an ing lots, cold storages, ice work- ter melon, pumpkin, cucumber of the world including Southeast panies around 80 percent of the added advantage for those who shops and transport services. All and crates of Fuji apples, pears, Asia, South America, Australia and local vegetables from Guanzhou. It hope to ‘go green’ as a variety of together this whole environment bananas, mangoes, dragon fruit New Zealand. Two main areas then distributes its products to fresh fruits and vegetables from makes up a miniature business and oranges infested either side of make up the fruit trade zone: the areas as wide as Hong Kong and all over and the world flock zone amidst heaps of fruits and Painting of a Chinese girl taking the small lanes when you enter vegetables to the market western fruit trade area and the Macao as well as areas all over to be transported or sold at the vegetables in Guanzhou. On the China’s largest fruit and vegetable Southeast Asian fruit trade area. China, Southeast Asia and Japan. Jiangnan Market. A sewage treat- other hand the market seems to distributing center, the Jiangnan Around 80 percent of the fruits are Thailand, Philippines, ment station, a garbage compres- have benefited from the global Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale imported from areas in China Malaysia, the US, Chile and Cana- sion station and three electricity economic downturn, trading 20 Market in the Guangdong while the rest are from foreign da are among the major trading stations with the capacity of 15, percent more products in 2008 as province. countries. partners in this market, which 030 KVA are also a part of the compared to the previous year. Established in 1994 under the The customers wander on foot engages roughly 30,000 to 50,000 market along with business Developing rapidly under prac- support of the Chinese Govern- or on bicycles to inspect and pur- workers daily and has over 1,000 offices, banks, restaurants, park- ticed eyes, Jiangnan Market had ment, the market had expanded chase the best buy. According to come a long way. It had been rec- throughout the years to become the officials the busiest time of the ognized as the perfect place to the largest distributing center in day is around 9 a.m. when the cus- purchase a realm of fresh fruits Southeast Asia. tomers wander in to select fresh and vegetables. It is established by the coun- fruit, leaves and vegetables for The accolades which the market try’s Agriculture Ministry and the their lunch or dinner menus. had received itself boasts of the A Chinese vegetable seller at the National Vegetable Circulation The market where the daily trad- quality of the products which market Association to act as the whole- ing volume crosses 10 million kilo- arrive and are put on the shelves sale market and model for China. loaded off trucks are common grams is roughly around 180, 000 for customers. Many varieties of fruits ranging sights early in the mornings or m2 with over 500 wholesalers. from the New Zealand Kiwifruit late at night for those are the The vegetable trade zone is fur- to the Thailand Durian can be times when fruit and vegetable ther divided in three sections: the purchased at the market. transaction is at its peak. In addi- dried vegetable trade area, the Employees pedaling bicycles tion imported pickles too are of fresh vegetable trade area and the with crates of fruit latched onto great demand as well as sacks full refrigerated vegetable trade area. the backflap of their bicycles or of a range of assortments of With seven million kilos of daily sacks full of fresh vegetables being beans. “We experiment with more trade in vegetable peaking to 10 Crates of fresh fruits on display Ripe for reaping Winter Melon Ya Pear Yardlong bean

Wax Gourd, also called White Native to northern China The yardlong bean, is also known as the Gourd, is a fast-growing, long-sea- the Ya pear is also known as long-podded cowpea, asparagus bean, son, warm-climate vegetable. The the Chinese White pear. snake bean or Chinese long bean. plant produces fruits on vines, like Sweet Crisp and delicious, Despite the name, the pods are actually the pumpkin on ground, which can the pear tastes like a cross only about half a yard long and come in grow up to 50 pounds. between a rose and a pineap- pairs. The vegetable is also called Tong ple. Pears are a good source Edible pods are very crisp, tender and Qwa, meaning ‘Winter Melon’ in Chi- of vitamin C and copper. Both delicious. nese. It makes a delicious and of these nutrients are antioxi- Long beans are cut into shorter sections and healthy dish cooked or mixed with a dants which help protect cells cooked like common green beans. They make a tasty meal salad. in the body from oxygen-related damage due to free radicals. sautéed or Stir-fried as well.

Cantaloupe Dragon Fruit Longan

This round, often red colored fruit Comonnly known as the ‘Dragon with prominent scales grows best Eye’ this fruit resembles an eyeball Cantaloupe, sweet melon or Muskmel- in dry, tropical or subtropical once it is shelled. The eatable part on is a species of melon that has been climates. Propaga- reveales a black seed surrounded developed into many cultivated varieties. It tion is through by translucent flesh. It is a tropical originates from Australia but is quite popular seeds or stem cut- tree native to southern China and among the Chinese. Closely related to cucumber tings. The inside of the Southeast Asia. the melon comes with an aromatic fragrance and fruit encloses a large mass of The fruit is extremely sweet, juicy and succulent and is often equally delicious sweet taste. sweetly flavored white or red pulp used in East Asian soups, snacks, desserts, and sweet-and- Known to be rich in pro-vitamin A, vitamins C and B9 the Can- and small black seeds. sour , either fresh or dried, sometimes canned with syrup taloupe makes a delicious and healthy dessert after meals. It is Other names related to the fruit are Pitahaya and Straw- in supermarkets. also good as a drink or mixed with salad. You should consider a berry Pear The fruit is popular eaten chilled, out of hand. It is Dried longan are often used in and Chinese well rounded shape, heavy weight and the pleasant melon smell also used to flavor drinks and pastries. sweet dessert soups. In Chinese therapy and herbal when purchasing the fruit. medicine, it is believed to have an effect on relaxation.

Durian Lotus stem Chinese Cabbage

Durian is no stranger to our market Lotus stems are very much used in Asian cuisines and are There are many kinds of Chi- but it is equally common and famous much relished for their taste and nutritional value. nese Cabbages that can be among the most sought after items in They are very rich in iron and calcium content besides high grouped based on size, shape, the Chinese market. dietary fiber. It is highly recommended for pregnant women. heading and non-heading. This delicious tasting fruit, Also known as Snow Cabbage though it comes with a strong it is a Chinese leaf vegetable odour, is mainly imported from which is often used in the Chi- Thailand to China. It is nicknamed nese cuisine. Chinese cabbages as ‘King of all fruits’ and its original are excellent for stir-fry and pick- name derives from the Malaysian term ling. ‘Duri’ meaning thorn for the fruit embod- The vegetable is related to the Western cabbage and is of ies a thick, tough and thorny husk. the same species as the common turnip. The In folk medicine, the juice of the durian leaves is applied to Pictures: pharmacologist studied the Chinese cabbage for the head on patients with fever. Boiling the leaves and roots in lifeofguangzhou.com, its medicinal qualities. water is also taken to lower the fever. igougo.com, andyooi.com Before this incident the vegetable was largely confined to Eating durian is good for the health as it is a good source of nd cn5000.com.cn the Yangtze River Delta region. Today it is popular not only in energy, carbohydrates, dietary fiber and protein. Durian fruit is the Chinese market but many areas in the world. also cholesterol free. Kiwifruit

Fuji apple Kiwifruit is native to the Yangtze River valley green flesh, with white pulp in the center, sur- of northern China and Zhejiang Province on rounded by black, edible seeds. The fruit has a With lovely pink speckled flush over a juicy with a refreshing taste, the coast of eastern China and is popular- sweet taste, similar to a mixture of banana, yellow-green background the fujin especially when chilled. ly known as ‘macaque peach’. pineapple and strawberry. The fruit apple is one of the most attractive Apart from being eaten as a The seeds of the fruit is rich in Vitamin C, A, and E. It modern apple varieties to ever hit fresh fruit, the apple is deli- was then brought to New also contains potassium and the market. This product which is cious in salads, apple pies Zealand and cultivated an important Omega 3 fatty imported from Japan is crisp and and sauce. as a backyard vine. This acid named Alfa-Linoleic. It fruit consists of a hairy, is a especially good for brown peel containing those suffering from asthma.

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