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Watermelon Farm - China

Retailers load Xisha watermelons onto a truck in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

Farmers pick Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

Farmers work in a Xisha watermelon field in Xiangshan Village of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

A drone photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows farmers working in a Xisha watermelon field in Xiangshan Township of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2025 shows farmers working in a Xisha watermelon field in Xiangshan Township of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

Farmers pick and transport Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

Farmers pick and transport Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

Farmers pick and transport Xisha watermelons in Xingren Town of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Watermelon Farm - China

Farmers work in a Xisha watermelon field in Xingren Township of Shapotou District, Zhongwei City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 20, 2025. The Xisha watermelon is a watermelon variety cultivated on calcareous soil covered with stone gravels. It is known for its large size, crisp and juicy flesh, as well as rich sweetness. The fruit is often hailed as the "green gem of the Gobi Desert" owing to its great economic value. Zhongwei City, a major producer of Xisha watermelons, has recorded a planting area of 469,500 mu (31,300 hectares) this year, with an expected output of 1.15 million tonnes. Photo by Wang Peng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Chilean cherries popular on Chinese market

STORY: Chilean cherries popular on Chinese market SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 1, 2024 DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2024 LENGTH: 0:02:12 LOCATION: Santiago/ZHENGZHOU, China CATEGORY: ECONOMY SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP 1 (Chinese): ZHU YUBO, Xinhua correspondent 2. STANDUP 2 (Chinese): ZHU YUBO, Xinhua correspondent 3. STANDUP 3 (Chinese): LIU ZHENKUN, Xinhua correspondent 4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): XIAN MING, General manager of a fruit company 5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): CHEN QIUMEI, General manager of a fruit company STORYLINE: STANDUP 1 (Chinese): ZHU YUBO, Xinhua correspondent "I am currently at a fruit wholesale market in Santiago, the capital of Chile. Let's share this sweetness from the Southern Hemisphere, take this box of cherries." STANDUP 2 (Chinese): ZHU YUBO, Xinhua correspondent "You can see that there are many Chilean cherries on the fruit stand in front of me. In recent years, Chilean cherries have become increasingly popular among Chinese consumers due to their crispy and sweet taste, and Chile is one of the most impo

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Cherry festival held in Lebanon

STORY: Cherry festival held in Lebanon DATELINE: June 13, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:35 LOCATION: HAMMANA, Lebanon CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the festival 2. various of visitors STORYLINE: Tens of thousands of people from all across Lebanon flocked on Sunday to Hammana, a scenic town about 30 kilometers away from the country's capital city Beirut, to taste the sweetness of cherries. The Hammana cherry festival gathered more than 200 exhibitors and sellers of cherries and cherry-inspired goods. The event featured cherry picking and tasting activities, food stalls, a music parade, a sports car show, local product souks, and a calisthenics show, among others. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hammana, Lebanon. (XHTV)

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(9)South Africa vs Spain

TAEJON, South Korea - Raul tastes the sweetness of the moment after scoring the third goal for Spain in the 56th minute that put Spain ahead for good in the World Cup group B match against South Africa at Taejon World Cup Stadium on June 12. Spain went on win 3-2 and advanced to the second round. (World Cup 2002)

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(4)Spain beat Slovenia 3-1

KWANGJU, South Korea - Raul tastes the sweetness of the moment after opening the scoring for Spain in the 44th minute of the World Cup group B match against Slovenia at Kwangju World Cup Stadium on June 2. Spain won the game 3-1. (World Cup 2002)

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4,000 yen off-season watermelons

Watermelons produced by hothouse farmers in Ueki, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, head to the market Feb. 19. All the 10,000 watermelons collected in Ueki were screened by specially designed sugar sensors to determine the sweetness grade before shipment. These off-season watermelons, each with a ''sweetness mark'' stamped on the skin, fetch as much as 4,000 yen each at stores in Tokyo and Osaka.

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CHINA-BEIJING-PEACHES-E-COMMERCE (CN)

(221002) -- BEIJING, Oct. 2, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A staff member measures the sweetness of peaches at a cooperative in Yukou Town of Pinggu District, Beijing, capital of China, July 3, 2022. TO GO WITH "Across China: E-commerce brings peachy life for Beijing's peach farmers" (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

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Armenian expat visits pear king competition in China's Tianjin

STORY: Armenian expat visits pear king competition in China's Tianjin DATELINE: Sept. 25, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:06 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the pear king competition 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ANUSH MINASYAN, Armenian expat 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG YANZHONG, Local resident 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): WU YIHONG, Local farmer STORYLINE: To select the "king of pears," local farmers in Luozhuangzi Town, north China's Tianjin, brought their proudest pears to participate in a competition. Anush Minasyan, an Armenian student from Nankai University, visited the fun event. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): ANUSH MINASYAN, Armenian expat "This is the winner of today's competition, which is big and beautiful. How was the 'king of pears' selected? SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WANG YANZHONG, Local expert "The competing pears were reviewed on weight, sweetness and appearance." Luozhuangzi Town is located in a mountainous area in Tianjin. Since 2015, the local government has invested in the de

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Visitors (L) taste the wine of the eastern Helan Mountain of China at the main venue of the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in inte

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 15, 2022 shows the branch venue of the ProWein 2022 in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in international

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Visitors taste wine of the eastern Helan Mountain of China at the main venue of the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in internationa

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Delegates of wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain participate the ProWein 2022 via video link at a branch venue in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A visitor (R) learns about wine of the eastern Helan Mountain of China at the main venue of the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Wines of the eastern Helan Mountain of China are showcased at the main venue of the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in internationa

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on May 15, 2022 shows the branch venue of the ProWein 2022 in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in international

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Aerial photo taken on May 15, 2022 shows the branch venue of the ProWein 2022 in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awards in interna

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Participants view wines which have won international awards at a branch venue of the ProWein 2022 in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan M

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CHINA-NINGXIA-WINE-GERMANY-DUSSELDORF-PROWEIN 2022 (CN)

(220516) -- YINCHUAN, May 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Various wines are served for samplings at a branch venue of the ProWein 2022 in Yinchuan, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 15, 2022. A total of 36 wineries in China's wine-producing area of the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain are scheduled to participate in the ProWein 2022 in Dusseldorf, Germany, via video link from May 15 to 17. The annual ProWein in Dusseldorf is regarded as the world's leading trade fair for wines and spirits. During the three-day event, wineries in the eastern Helan Mountain showcase their wines both on-site at the main venue Messe Dusseldorf and online at the branch venue in Yinchuan, capital of China's Ningxia. Ningxia wines feature a unique quality of sweetness, aroma and aftertaste, thanks to the proper climate in the eastern Helan Mountain for growing wine grapes. In recent years, thousands of wines from more than 50 wineries in the eastern foothills of Ningxia's Helan Mountain have won awar

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INDIA-BANGALORE-MAKAR SANKRANTI FESTIVAL-PREPARATION

(220112) -- BANGALORE, Jan. 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Bundles of sugarcane are stocked outside a wholesale market on the eve of Makar Sankranti Festival in Bangalore, India, Jan. 11, 2022. People exchange pieces of sugarcane to signify sweetness during Makar Sankranti. (Str/Xinhua)

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INDIA-BANGALORE-MAKAR SANKRANTI FESTIVAL-PREPARATION

(220112) -- BANGALORE, Jan. 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Bundles of sugarcane are stocked outside a wholesale market on the eve of Makar Sankranti Festival in Bangalore, India, Jan. 11, 2022. People exchange pieces of sugarcane to signify sweetness during Makar Sankranti. (Str/Xinhua)

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INDIA-BANGALORE-MAKAR SANKRANTI FESTIVAL-PREPARATION

(220112) -- BANGALORE, Jan. 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- People carry bundles of sugarcane outside a wholesale market on the eve of Makar Sankranti Festival in Bangalore, India, Jan. 11, 2022. People exchange pieces of sugarcane to signify sweetness during Makar Sankranti. (Str/Xinhua)

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INDIA-BANGALORE-MAKAR SANKRANTI FESTIVAL-PREPARATION

(220112) -- BANGALORE, Jan. 12, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Bundles of sugarcane are stocked outside a wholesale market on the eve of Makar Sankranti Festival in Bangalore, India, Jan. 11, 2022. People exchange pieces of sugarcane to signify sweetness during Makar Sankranti. (Str/Xinhua)

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Roll Bounce (2005)

Wesley Jonathan & The Candy Girls Characters: Sweetness & Film: Roll Bounce (2005) Director: Malcolm D. Lee 23 September 2005 Date: 23 September 2005

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Abe receives persimmons, gets comfort from sweetness

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (C) is flanked by representatives of Nara Prefecture promoting Japanese persimmon grown in the western Japanese prefecture -- Akemi Sakiyama (L) and Chizuko Yamamoto -- at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Oct. 16, 2015. After sampling two pieces of the fruit presented by them, Abe said it tastes very sweet which gives him "comfort." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Togakushi soba

Undated file photo shows Togakushi Yuki Gakushi "soba" buckwheat noodles served at restaurants in Nagano city. The Togakushi area in Nagano city is famous for its soba and Yuki Gakushi soba means noodles made with powder ground from soba seed stored in snow. Storing soba seed in snow helps preserve its quality and increases sweetness as the temperature and humidity remain constant. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Chocolates made from konjac food launched

Photo taken Feb. 1, 2017, shows chocolates made from konjac food, which were launched by a restaurant operator in the city of Kanuma, northeast of Tokyo, prior to Valentine's Day. The product has drawn popularity locally due to its unique texture and sweetness. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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Chocolates made from konjac food launched

Photo taken Feb. 1, 2017, shows chocolates made from konjac food, which were launched by a restaurant operator in the city of Kanuma, northeast of Tokyo, prior to Valentine's Day. The product has drawn popularity locally due to its unique texture and sweetness. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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4,000 yen off-season watermelons

Watermelons produced by hothouse farmers in Ueki, Kumamoto Prefecture, southern Japan, head to the market Feb. 19. All the 10,000 watermelons collected in Ueki were screened by specially designed sugar sensors to determine the sweetness grade before shipment. These off-season watermelons, each with a ''sweetness mark'' stamped on the skin, fetch as much as 4,000 yen each at stores in Tokyo and Osaka. ==Kyodo