Loquats, honored as “King of Fruits”, are unique in South China. It’s homonym for pipa (or Chinese lute, a Chinese traditional musical instrument) in Chinese since they’re shaped as pipas.

Unlike other plants, loquats grow in autumn, bloom in winter, fruit in spring and turn mature in summer. That’s the reason why they are honored as “the fruit of four seasons”. Besides, loquats grow mature in the off season of fruits. Therefore, they are called “the first fruit in early spring” in South China.

Loquats are originated in China and distributed in Sichuan and other provinces. Sichuan account for half of the plantation and production of loquats in China.