Yueju, a fruit tree of the Rhododendron family, is also known as Yueju or "ju", but it has no relation to the citrus family. Yueju fruit is a good Chinese medicinal material, harvested from September to October, dried, and can also be made into Yueju fruit jam.
Picture of Yueju fruit
Introduction to Yueju fruit:
Yueju plants are short, usually only 30cm tall, but they often spread and grow into a large area through underground stems. Yueju fruit shines with a ruby-like luster, with a crown-shaped calyx.
During the fruiting period, the red Yueju fruits, adorned with a green carpet woven by the fruit trees, can make one's heart leap with joy if witnessed.
Yueju is widely distributed in high latitude areas of the northern hemisphere, generally growing in areas with sparse sunlight under the forest, and acidic soil is their paradise. They are particularly cold-resistant and can tolerate temperatures as low as -40°C, so they can be found in the tundra zones of the polar circle, showing their indomitable spirit.
Yueju also grows in Northeast China and is called "red bean" by the locals, probably because of the color of the fruit.
Efficacy of Yueju fruit:
Taste: sour, sweet, and neutral in nature. Channels: stomach and large intestine. Functions: stops diarrhea and dysentery.
Uses of Yueju fruit:
Used for enteritis and dysentery.
Picture of Yueju fruit
Recipe for Yueju fruit jam:
In the Scandinavian Peninsula, Yueju is a wild fruit that makes the people of Northern Europe very fond of it. During the fruiting season, the locals will go to the mountains with their families, carrying baskets and rake-like tools to find Yueju fruit.
The sweet and sour Yueju fruit jam is its most common way of eating. Usually, it only requires Yueju, sugar, and a small amount of water for cooking. However, the jam available in supermarkets may add apple pulp and pectin to adjust the sweetness and increase the texture, mainly to save costs. In fact, the best Yueju fruit jam is "fresh", mixed with fruit and sugar, without cooking.
In Sweden, Yueju has been cultivated on a large scale, and Yueju fruit jam is an indispensable golden supporting role on the dining table, from meatballs to thick pancakes, from oatmeal porridge to black pudding, it is everywhere.
Later, it was introduced to the world by the Swedish brand "IKEA", and this little fruit that emerged from the forest tundra became truly famous around the world.
