From sweet treats to wearable art: Revival of Jingzhou carved fruit

A millennium-old craft is getting a fresh glow-up in Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County, Hunan Province.

Known as Wanhua Tea, Jingzhou carved preserved fruit is where culinary skill meets delicate craftsmanship. Using pomelo and seasonal produce like winter melon and pumpkin, artisans employ relief, high relief and openwork carving techniques to create intricate motifs – dragons, phoenixes, magpies and blooming flowers – each carrying wishes for good fortune. After rinsing, sugar boiling and sun drying, the result is more than a sweet treat – it's edible art shaped by time.

Today, provincial inheritor Luo Xianmei is bringing new energy to the tradition. While preserving its classic aesthetics, she's introducing contemporary designs with strong cultural flair, making the craft feel closer to modern life and younger audiences.

She's also reimagining its form – transforming carved preserved fruit into wearable pieces like headpieces, necklaces and earrings, and even incorporating it into cultural displays and creative showcases. What was once a local delicacy is now doubling as a fashion statement.

From the table to the runway, this ancient craft is carving out a bold new place in today's world.