May 15, 2001 (Cox News Service) - BEIJING - In a country where
counting calories is still a new Western notion, but ``internal
heat'' is a common tenet of traditional medicine, the grapefruit is
just the answer for many Chinese.
``Grapefruit is the best fruit for reducing your internal
heat,'' said Wang Lijun, who has sold fruit at the Chongwen Market
for 20 years. ``Very few people buy grapefruit because they like
the taste. It doesn't taste that good. But if we suggest it for
health reasons, people will buy it.''
With rising living standards in urban China and more awareness
of personal health, Chinese people with disposable income are
willing to spend more to eat right. Imported fruit, though pricey,
is perceived as healthier.
``China is very polluted,'' said Li Fengming, a clothing
designer. ``I buy fruit based on it being 'green,' produced without
pollution. American fruit should be better that way, because they
care about being green more.''
Still, Florida grapefruit is a luxury she doesn't allow herself.
At about $2 each, she buys it only for her mother, who is diabetic.
``Normal people can't afford imported fruit,'' complained Li.
``This one grapefruit costs more than what a worker makes in one
day.''
Because of the cost, imported fruit is often purchased as gifts
or around holidays. Grapefruit has not been a regular part of the
diet here in China, which produces massive quantities of oranges
and apples. Wang said many of her customers have diabetes and like
grapefruit because it is low in sugar content.
Some ask her which fruit is best at reducing ``internal heat,''
which can be caused by too much stress or eating too many rich
foods.
``At the beginning, people weren't that familiar with
grapefruit,'' she said. ``Slowly, we got return customers. They
come back because it's good for you, not because it's fresh and
tasty. The color and quality is better than domestic fruit.''
Finding imported grapefruit in Beijing still takes some
searching. Only certain Western-style supermarkets and a few larger
state-run markets carry it.
At the state-run Chongwen Market, grapefruit from Florida is
sold alongside American apples and grapefruit from Japan and
Israel. When one vendor at a fruit market in northern Beijing was
asked if he has American grapefruit, he replied, ``This is
American. We just put the Japan sticker on it because it looks
better.''
At Parkson, a Western-style supermarket, shopper Han Zhuo said
she avoids all imported fruit.
``I don't feel safe eating it,'' she said. ``It comes into the
country through all sorts of channels. It might have bugs. I think
Chinese fruit tastes better anyway.''
But Zhang Naiqian prefers imported fruit.
``The meat is more tender, the quality is better, the flavor is
more concentrated,'' she said, as she looked down at the American
grapefruit in her hand. ``If I feel like eating it, I don't let the
price scare me.''
