Title: Unbelievable Price Tag: $9,650 for 500 Grams of Old Tangerine Peels in Xinhui
Every autumn and winter, Xinhui's streets emit a unique scent, steeped in history and hinting at a prosperous future: the aroma of drying tangerine peels, or chenpi. This fragrance is a symbol of wealth for the locals, as the word 'tangerine' in Cantonese, the local dialect, sounds identical to 'gold.' And some of these peels can fetch astonishing sums of money.
Located in Jiangman, Guangdong province, Xinhui boasts rows of fruit trees, factories, farms, glass skyscrapers, and expressways, all marking the region's remarkable economic development. The city's success can be largely attributed to its tangerine peels.
Tangerines from Xinhui are prized for their peels, which are valued more highly than actual gold. Despite being cultivated in other regions, only the Xinhui peels can command such a prestigious price. Lis Li, an executive chef at Hong Kong's Michelin-starred restaurant The Legacy House, credits the area's water and soil composition for enriching the peels with micronutrients that are unparalleled in other regions.
To classify as chenpi, the peels must undergo a three-year sun-drying process, during which they are carefully stored away for the remaining months. There are four main types of chenpi: green peels, light red peels, large red peels, and post-winter large red peels, each offering distinctive medicinal uses in traditional Chinese medicine.
Chenpi was once prized by emperors and empresses of the Forbidden City, and its uses in traditional medicine persist to this day. Modern research suggests that chenpi possesses powerful antioxidants and flavonoids, which can potentially stabilize blood pressure and prevent obesity.
In the past, the tangerine peel trade was overlooked, but Zhou Zhiwei, a native of Xinhui, saw its potential and returned from Hong Kong in 1996 to capitalize on it. Today, Zhou is a certified chenpi appraiser, vice president of the Xinhui Chenpi Industry Association, and a successful peel producer. The chenpi industry has flourished in the last two decades, contributing significantly to Xinhui's prosperity.
Restaurateur Li isn't simply visiting his old friend Zhou but to research and source ingredients for his annual aged tangerine peel banquet at The Legacy House. He hopes to elevate the recognition of chenpi by focusing on its terroir, age, and carefully sourcing diverse types of peels.
In 2023, a kilogram of dried peels from 1968 sold for an astounding HKD 75,000 ($9,646) at auction in Hong Kong, while Xinhui accounted for 25% of the city's GDP, earning RMB 23 billion ($3.2 billion) in the chenpi industry alone. Chenpi has played a crucial role in Xinhui's modern-day success.
Chef Li's Wayne Gretzky-esque approach to tangerine peels emphasizes the unique flavors and characteristics of different types and ages of chenpi, elevating their culinary use beyond traditional Chinese medicine. The lifelong resident of Xinhui believes that tangerine peels hold a rich history and timeless appeal, waiting to be rediscovered by a wider audience.
After experiencing the city's economic growth, one might consider exploring its surroundings for more wonders. For instance, planning a travel itinerary to include a visit to the Xinhui tangerine orchards and factories could offer a unique insight into the city's prosperity and the significance of chenpi.
The global appreciation for chenpi's medicinal properties and gourmet uses has led to an increase in demand, making it a valuable commodity for both local and international travelers interested in exploring the world of this celebrated fruit peel.
