Introduction
A fruit from China is quietly rising in popularity in Australia. Producers are investing millions to plant it, and it's set to become a huge trend in Australia!

Delicious and healthy, with numerous health benefits, it will be more convenient for Chinese people to buy in the future!

01: Chinese Specialty Fruit Is Set to Become a Hit in Australia
In Australia, a fruit native to China is quietly causing a planting boom. Growers and industry experts predict that it will likely become Australia's next popular health food after avocados.

This fruit, which has been a household staple in China for years as a health food, is now being grown on a large scale in Australia. Producers are investing millions of Australian dollars in its cultivation. It is the Chinese jujube, with nearly 3,000 years of cultivation history!

As a product with national geographic protection in China, jujube is the first Chinese fruit to receive "origin geographic protection."

Fresh winter jujubes have a crisp texture, are juicy, and have thick flesh with a sweet taste. Dried red dates are less watery but have a rich, concentrated flavor. Both varieties are highly nutritious.

Studies have shown that jujubes are functional foods, rich in antioxidants, fiber, as well as magnesium and calcium, and are thus hailed as "the king of fruits" and "living vitamin pills."

Notably, the jujube has an exceptionally high Vitamin C content. Winter jujubes contain approximately 243 mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams, which is 80 times more than apples and 140 times more than pears. This means that eating just one or two winter jujubes can meet your daily Vitamin C requirements.

Vitamin C not only promotes antibody formation and boosts immunity, but it is also excellent for skin health. Fresh winter jujubes are also rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols. The polyphenol content ranges between 428.5 to 600.4 mg/100g, while the flavonoid content is between 159.3 to 230.3 mg/100g.

Jujube flavonoid extracts have strong antioxidant properties and can reduce lipid peroxidation.

Additionally, jujubes are high in insoluble dietary fiber, which is very beneficial for gut health. Compared to fresh winter jujubes, dried red dates have slightly lower Vitamin C content but significantly higher levels of Vitamin E and potassium.

Red dates are rich in iron, calcium, and other nutrients, and have benefits like blood toning, strengthening the spleen, and improving digestion. They are particularly beneficial for women, helping regulate menstruation and alleviate menstrual pain. In many Chinese households, it’s common to brew red dates in thermos bottles or cook them in porridge.

Jujubes originated in China, where over 95% of the world's jujube cultivation and production take place. There has been no large-scale commercial cultivation abroad, and many foreigners have never even tasted jujubes. Previously, many Chinese nationals were even fined for bringing large jujubes into Australia.

Now, with the large-scale planting of jujubes in Australia, this new industry is emerging, and the Chinese community in Australia no longer needs to worry about not being able to find this commonly used health food.

02: Jujube Farming Is Gaining Traction in Australia
In Australia, many growers have already invested in jujube cultivation.

Phuong Cao and her mother Thi Tran in Renmark, South Australia, have been growing thousands of jujube trees on their family farm for the past decade. They originally grew wine grapes, but after the market downturn, they chose to diversify by planting jujubes.

Cao highly appreciates the unique flavor and multiple uses of this fruit. She describes it as juicy, fragrant, and crispy with a unique taste. “We usually eat them fresh, but we can also dry them or brew them into tea. It’s evidently good for sleep, and if you suffer from insomnia, it can help.”

Ben Wardlow is one of the pioneering growers in the industry. The challenges of jujube farming in horticulture intrigued him.

“This is a completely new and unique plant. Growing it is very difficult, and I had to reinvent grafting and propagation techniques,” said Wardlow.

Around 20 years ago, the innovative growers’ group he was part of introduced 40 different varieties of jujubes to Australia.

In his view, apart from being enjoyed as fresh fruit, jujubes also have the potential to become value-added products, such as jujube vinegar, and can be used in various foods across Asia.

03: Large-Scale Expansion Underway, But Challenges Remain
Currently, the scale of jujube farming in Australia is expanding rapidly.

According to AgriFutures Australia, it is estimated that there are about 60 jujube growers in Australia, with 50,000 jujube trees being cultivated. Horticulture companies like Seeka plan to plant tens of thousands of trees.

Trevor Langford, author of the "Australian Jujube Strategy 2030," sees immense potential in this fruit. Not only does it have broad export prospects, but jujubes can also grow in harsher climatic conditions compared to some other fruit trees.

However, the development of jujubes in Australia also faces challenges. Langford believes that the main challenges include the industry's “fragmentation” and a lack of consumer awareness about the fruit.

This issue involves not only increasing labor and production but also the need for greater collaboration across the industry.

Despite these challenges, thanks to its deep historical roots, rich nutritional value, and the active exploration by growers, the future of this Chinese fruit in Australia remains promising. It may very well become the next popular fruit, as predicted.

Conclusion
For Australian Chinese who love sweet foods or are passionate about health, the growth and expansion of the jujube industry in Australia is undoubtedly great news. In the future, it will be easier to buy red dates and fresh winter jujubes!

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