How much does ponkan cost per jin? Detailed explanation of its ripening and market season and its differences from the ugly orange

Ponkan, also known as gan guo, is a common citrus fruit in southern China. Because its flesh is crisp and tender, its fruit is large, and it has diuretic and stomach-strengthening effects, it is widely cultivated. So how much does ponkan cost per jin on the market? When does it ripen and go on the market? What is the difference between it and the ugly orange?

Latest market price:

Ripening and market season:

The fruiting period of ponkan is generally from late November to early December. When 1/3 to 2/3 of the fruit surface turns orange-yellow or orange-red, it can be harvested. Fruit for fresh sale has the best quality when the whole fruit is orange-red at harvest. Harvesting should preferably be done on a sunny day after the dew has dried, handling the fruit carefully and placing it down gently to avoid bruising. After harvest, the fruit should be moved promptly to a shaded place for stacking. High-yielding trees can be harvested in batches to reduce severe leaf drop caused by water loss in the tree after harvest and to ensure that the quality of the ponkan meets green food standards.

Differences from the ugly orange:

1. Look at the appearance: first check whether the ugly orange is ugly enough. If the skin is smooth and the shape is round, then it is definitely a fake.

2. Place of origin: real ugly oranges all come from Sichuan. If you buy an “ugly orange” produced in Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan, Jiangxi, or even the north, then you have been fooled.

3. Taste it: before buying, you might as well taste it first. A real ugly orange has thin skin at the bottom and is easy to peel. Its taste is crisp and sweet. Fruit that is softer is the sweet type, while fruit that is harder is the sour type. In addition, because eating however much of it will not cause internal heat, the ugly orange is also called “buzhihuo”. If your fingers turn yellow after eating it, then it is definitely a counterfeit.

Now that you understand the method for identifying ugly oranges: authentic ugly oranges have uneven skin, a color that is not bright, and a 2-3 cm “little tail” at the stem position, which is not very attractive. The skin at the bottom is thin, and after peeling it open, the flesh is reddish. Ugly oranges also come in sweet and sour types. Those with thin, tender skin and a soft interior are sweet fruit. Those with rough skin and a firm interior are sour fruit.

Differences from mandarin oranges:

1. Distinguish by appearance

Ponkan is relatively uniform in size, with a diameter of about 5 cm, while mandarin oranges have many varieties and different sizes, with diameters ranging from 2 to 8 cm. The peel of ponkan is yellow-orange, while the peel color of mandarin oranges can be green or orange.

2. Distinguish by nutrition

The nutritional difference between the two is reflected in taste. Ponkan is neither too sweet nor too sour, while mandarin oranges include both sour and sweet types. The sour ones contain more organic acids, and the sweet ones contain more fructose. As for the rest, such as vitamins and minerals, there is not much difference in content.

3. Difference in edible effects

Ponkan is a fruit with a mild nature, and people will not experience symptoms of internal heat after eating it; while mandarin orange is a hot-natured fruit, and eating it often induces various symptoms of internal heat. Therefore, mandarin oranges should not be eaten in excess. In addition, ponkan has a thicker spongy layer, and after eating it, its effect of clearing heat and resolving phlegm is also quite outstanding, which mandarin oranges cannot surpass.