574th article第574期双语推文
NB: This may not be a word-for-word transcript.
In autumn and winter, jujubes (Chinese dates) hit the market. In Xinzheng, Zhengzhou, the hometown of red jujubes in China, there are a wide variety of fresh jujubes and jujube related products. Jujubes are available throughout the year.
秋冬季是枣子上市的时节。在中国红枣之乡郑州新郑，不但鲜枣品种多样，枣类食品更是琳琅满目，一年四季不缺枣。
There are Chinese sayings like "eating jujubes every day will keep you young forever", "eating ten jujubes a day helps you bear your age well", and "having porridge with jujubes can keep your skin good-looking". Though a bit exaggerated, it indicates that jujubes are good for health. The Jixin jujube or "chicken-heart jujube", a special variety featuring small pit and full flesh abounding in Xinzheng, is of particularly high medicinal value and is commonly used as an ingredient added to enhance the efficacy of a dose of medicine.
中国民间有“天天吃大枣，青春永不老”“一天十个枣，一辈子不显老”“若要皮肤好，粥里加大枣”等说法，虽然有些夸张，但也说明食用大枣对健康有益。特别是郑州新郑盛产的鸡心枣核小质密，有很高的药用价值，被誉为“百药之引”。
Xinzheng jujube planting has a long history. In 1978, carbonized jujube pits dating back to 8,000 years ago were discovered during excavating the Peiligang Site, indicating that the ancestors had already planted jujube trees in Xinzheng. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn Period when Zichan (B.C. 584-522) held power of Zheng State, the roads in and around the capital were lined with jujube trees.
新郑红枣种植历史悠久，新郑枣文化源远流长。1978年，在裴李岗遗址的发掘过程中，就发现了8000年前的碳化枣核，说明当时在新郑一带，先民们就已开始种植大枣。相传春秋名相子产执政时，郑国都城内外街道两旁已是枣树成行。
In the Han Dynasty (B.C. 202–A.D. 220), people recognized the medicinal effects of jujubes, proved by some words about "eating jujubes" engraved on a bronze mirror produced in the Han. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.), jujube trees were grown in Xinzheng on a huge scale.
在汉代，人们已经认识到枣的药用价值，在民间发现的汉代铜镜上就刻有关于“食枣”的诗句。到了明代，新郑枣树种植已形成相当规模。
Jixin jujube or "chicken-heart jujube" as it resembles a chicken heart is as small as a cherry. It is dark red, shiny, and chunky. Shake dried jujubes in hands, and you will hear a rustling sound. That is because when the pulp gets dried, the pit comes off. It is unique to authentic Xinzheng Chicken-heart Jujube.
新郑鸡心枣又名小枣，因形似鸡心而得名，鸡心枣小巧如樱桃，深红色，有光泽，果肉中厚，鸡心枣晾干后，捧在手里，摇摇有沙沙声音。这是因为鸡心小枣枣核和枣肉晾干后分开导致，也是新郑正宗小枣才有的特质。
Gray jujube is the main planted variety in the Xinzheng jujube area, accounting for about 60% of the total output of the region. It has now been popularized in many areas across the country.
新郑大枣又名灰枣，是新郑枣区的主栽品种，约占枣区总产量的60%，现已在全国很多地区推广。
Other excellent varieties include early-mature jujubes, winter jujubes and so on.
除灰枣和鸡心枣这两个优良品种外，还有六月鲜、九月青、结不俗、酥枣及反季节的雪枣、冬枣等优良品种。
Over 8,000 years of development, a kind of wild fruit in Xinzheng has become one of the three woody (xylophyta) grain varieties, a local specialty, and a world-famous brand product. Xinzheng has also been awarded the title of "hometown of the jujube" and developed a booming jujube-based economy. Xinzheng jujube products are sold worldwide.
历经8000年风雨洗礼，新郑红枣从野果蜕变为木本粮食，从土特产发展成“明星”产品……一步步华彩“蝶变”，不但让新郑摘取了“中国红枣之乡”等桂冠，更塑造出风生水起的“红枣经济”，开发的大枣制品远销世界各地。
In recent years, the seasonal "Leisure Tour at the Town of Jujube & Red Jujube Culture Festival" has developed into a suburban ecological tourism event, where visitors can experience red jujube picking, culture, the closely related healthy lifestyle, and rural catering. It receives more than 100,000 tourists each year.
近年来，每到秋季启动的“中华枣乡风情游暨红枣文化节”已逐步发展为集红枣采摘、文化游览、养生体验、农家餐饮于一体的近郊生态旅游项目，每年吸引游客10余万人次。
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