Early autumn in Xisha Village, Dejiang County – a rural spot in the Chinese mainland's Guizhou Province – brings a vibrant sight: branches heavy with plump, golden fruits known as Rosa roxburghii or chestnut rose. Nicknamed the "spiky pear" for its prickly skin, these fruits catch the sun and fill the air with a sweet, fruity scent.
Native to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Rosa roxburghii has long been a local staple. Today, its status as a superfruit is rising. With up to seven times more vitamin C than oranges and a host of antioxidants, these spiky gems are capturing attention among health-conscious consumers across the Chinese mainland and beyond.
Village cooperatives have rallied around this natural asset, pooling resources to standardize cultivation and packaging. By tapping into e-commerce platforms, farmers are reaching urban markets and global buyers. The result: new income streams and a spark of entrepreneurial energy in a community once limited by geography.
“This fruit changed everything for us,” says a local farmer, describing how harvest seasons now translate into steady earnings rather than uncertainty. Young entrepreneurs are designing modern labels, collaborating with nutrition experts, and exploring value-added products like jams and wellness supplements.
Data from regional agricultural bureaus highlight the scale of the transformation: Dejiang County's chestnut rose output has doubled in the past three years, and household incomes tied to Rosa roxburghii sales continue to grow. For thought leaders and changemakers, this is a blueprint for sustainable rural revitalization.
Whether you're a food tech enthusiast tracking superfood trends, a traveler dreaming of immersive agri-tourism, or a global citizen seeking stories of real-world impact, the chestnut rose of Guizhou is a testament to the power of nature, innovation, and community-driven progress. In every spiky husk lies not just a vitamin boost but a seed of prosperity for communities on the Chinese mainland.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
