🔥 In a nutshell#
Hawthorn opens appetite with strong sour and aids digestion, especially of greasy protein.
📋 Basics#
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Also called | mayhaw / red fruit |
| Family | Rosaceae, Crataegus |
| Nature | sour-sweet, slightly warm |
| Calories | ≈ 102 kcal/100g |
👅 Taste & Texture#
Firm, tart flesh with a sweet finish; hard stone; candied it turns temptingly sweet-sour.
💪 Nutrition & Benefits#
- Organic acids spur digestion (esp. protein/grease);
- Flavonoids traditionally lower lipid, protect heart;
- Wakes appetite.
🌍 Where It Grows#
Shandong «Big Gold Star», Xinglong, Liaoning; also East Asia, Europe.
🍂 Harvest Season#
Autumn (Sep–Oct).
🛒 Picking & Storing#
- Pick bright red, heavy, thick-fleshed;
- Rarely raw — made into cake, tanghulu, tea.
⚠️ Cautions#
- Very acidic — limit if ulcer/acidic;
- Avoid empty-stomach; watch teeth.
✨ Fun Facts#
Tanghulu is skewered hawthorn — tasty yet traditionally used to «dissolve food stagnation»: a snack that’s also a remedy.
Note: the above reflects general nutrition knowledge and is not medical advice.
