Clausena lansium

Updated:  2021-03-10

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Produced all over South China, Clausena lansium - also known as wampee - usually matures in the fifth and sixth lunar months. Rich in vitamin C, sugar, organic acids and pectin, its fruit has a high nutritional value, as well as medicinal value, such as improving digestion, regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, promoting qi circulation to relieve pain, dispelling phlegm, moistening lungs to arrest a cough, treating infantile malnutrition, and promoting fluid production.

The Conghua wampee varieties include sour wampee, stinky wampee, sweet wampee, chicken heart-shaped wampee, and single-kernel wampee. Of these, the chicken heart-shaped wampee and single-kernel wampee are most prominent. 

Chicken heart-shaped wampee is an excellent variety mainly grown in Guancun of Wenquan Town, as well as Chengjiao and Jiangpu subdistricts in Conghua. Its fruit is large and heart-shaped, weighing 12g on average. It turns golden yellow when ripe and changes to gold-bronze in color after it becomes fully ripe; its edible flesh is over 68 percent; it features thin peel, rich flesh, and light, sweet flavor; it has 14-17 percent soluble contents; it contains 38 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams; when it ripens in July, its excellent flavor attracts throngs of tourists coming to Conghua to give it a try.

With a history of more than 300 years, Congcheng wampee grows in a long cluster with large fruit, a small kernel, thin peel, smooth flesh, and a sweet taste and aroma.