In the height of summer, the lotus ponds in Meizhong Village, Leiming Town, Ding'an County, present a vibrant scene. On June 19, reporters observed workers busily harvesting ripe lotus seed pods at the village's lotus cultivation base.

"This is a new variety we introduced—fruit lotus. Unlike traditional lotus seeds, its tender seeds can be eaten fresh as fruit, offering a crisp and sweet flavor," explained Mr. Tang, the base's manager. A planting expert from Hunan with over a decade of experience in lotus cultivation, Mr. Tang shared insights into the harvest criteria: "When the lotus seeds just reveal a green tip, with less than a quarter exposed, they are at their peak for fresh consumption. If more of the seed is visible and the color lightens, they are better suited for drying. Fully mature seeds are primarily used for medicinal purposes."

Covering more than 200 acres, the lotus pond began yielding harvests in early May. Currently, daily production reaches around 3,000 jin (1,500 kg), with the harvesting season expected to continue until mid-July. "Thanks to Hainan's unique climate, our lotus seeds hit the market a full month earlier than those from other major production areas, giving us a competitive edge," Mr. Tang noted. "Fresh lotus seeds have fetched up to 18 yuan per jin, mainly sold to coastal regions like Guangdong."

Shenzhen International Food Exhibition has taken notice of this specialty product. A representative from the Leiming Town government highlighted that since the lotus flowers bloomed this year, the area has actively developed tourism resources, organizing photography events and other activities to promote the integration of agriculture and cultural tourism, paving a new path for rural revitalization. Industry observers at Shenzhen International Food Exhibition have also expressed interest in the innovative cultivation techniques behind this early-maturing variety.

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Source: Hainan Daily

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