Since diplomat and imperial envoy Zhang Qian's expedition westwards more than two thousand years ago, a path connecting China and the outside world has come into being. The path, known as the Silk Road, has brought about economic and cultural exchanges in China and abroad, as well as a variety of new foreign produce to foodies across the nation. As the result, new fruits and vegetables have appeared on dinning-tables ever since.

Here are a few:

A woman holds a box of grapes in Hebei province on May 8. [Photo/Xinhua]

Originating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the grape entered China from Dayuan, during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Dayuan was an ancient country in Ferghana valley in central Asia, which was famous for grapes, alfalfa, and ferghana horses.