Huaniu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hainiu |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Unripe Huaniu apple
|
|
| Genus | Malus |
| Hybrid parentage | Red Delicious; Ralls Genet; Golden Delicious |
| Cultivar | Huaniu |
| Origin | Huaniu town, Maiji District, Tianshui (1956) |
.jpg)
The Huaniu (花牛) apple is a special type of apple that comes from China. It is sometimes called the Chinese Red Delicious because it looks and tastes a bit like the famous Red Delicious apple. Huaniu apples are known for their sweet flavor and bright color. They are a very popular fruit in China and are even sent to other countries.
Contents
What Makes Huaniu Apples Special?
Huaniu apples have a sweet taste, much like Fuji apples. They contain a good amount of natural sugars, which makes them very enjoyable to eat. These apples also have a small amount of malic acid, which is what gives apples their slightly tart or fresh taste. This balance of sweet and a little tart makes them a favorite for many people.
Where Did Huaniu Apples Come From?
The Huaniu apple first appeared in Huaniu town, which is in Tianshui, China. This happened in 1956. It was created by mixing different types of apple trees. Some of the parent apples included the Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Ralls Janet varieties.
The Story of Chairman Mao
In 1965, farmers from Huaniu town sent two boxes of their special apples to Chairman Mao. He was the leader of China at that time. The farmers wanted to show their respect for him. Chairman Mao really liked the apples and thanked the villagers.
That same year, Huaniu apples were sent to Hong Kong for sale. The boxes had the name of Huaniu village on them. People in Hong Kong liked these apples even more than the Red Delicious apples that came from the United States. Since then, Huaniu apples have become very famous throughout China.
Where Do Huaniu Apples Grow Today?
Today, Huaniu apples are mostly grown in the southeast part of Gansu province in China. You can find many orchards around the city of Tianshui. They are also grown in the Shanxi province.
Discovering the Black Diamond Apple
There is a very unique type of Huaniu apple called the black diamond apple. These apples have a very deep purple color, almost black. They look quite different from the usual red Huaniu apples.
How Does the Black Diamond Get Its Color?
The black diamond apple gets its dark purple color from where it grows. It is found in Nyingchi, Tibet. This area has very strong ultraviolet light from the sun. Also, the nights are much colder than the days. This special combination of strong sunlight and cold nights helps the apples develop their unique, dark color.
