The Curious History of the Loquat Fruit - Ningyi Xi Explains

Native to southeastern China, the loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) has traveled far beyond its origins, carried across oceans and cultures through trade, migration, and empire. Its journey is a story not just of agriculture but of diplomacy, cultural exchange, and adaptation. From its cultivation in East Asia to its spread into the Mediterranean through Europe’s colonial ventures, and later its arrival in Latin America, the loquat has served as a living bridge between worlds. What might seem like a humble fruit is, in fact, a lens into global history and the many ways food connects people across borders.Our guest for this episode is Ningyi Xi, research fellow at the Department of Cultural Heritage at the University of Padova in Italy. Ms. Xi brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to the study of mobility and cultural transmission. She holds an MA in Mobility Studies from the University of Padova and a BA in Art History and Classical Studies from Wellesley College. Born and raised in Hangzhou, China, she has lived, studied, and worked across four continents. Her personal history of movement informs her research, which often explores how objects, plants, and cultural practices travel and acquire new meanings as they cross borders.