Yucheng Orange

Yucheng Orange

　　The Yucheng Orange, also known as Guanggan, is an outstanding variety of the Rutaceae family’s Citrus genus. It is one of the three traditional specialty fruits of Yuhuan County and has been cultivated for over 500 years. Currently, Yuhuan County has 670 hectares under cultivation, with an annual output of nearly 10,000 tons and a production value of 60 million yuan. The Yucheng Orange is characterized first by its rich nutrition and high medicinal value. The fruit is of moderate size, juicy, strongly aromatic, and pleasantly sweet and sour in flavor. Its color, shape, and taste closely resemble those of the American grapefruit. According to joint research by the Zhejiang Citrus Research Institute and the University of South Florida, the main nutritional components of the Yucheng Orange exceed those of the American grapefruit. The juice contains 1057 PPM naringin, 71 PPM limonin, and 109 PPM hesperidin, among other key indices that are higher than those of other citrus fruits. The Yucheng Orange can inhibit the activity of reverse transcriptase related to carcinogenesis and significantly enhance the activity of glutathione S-transferase, thus exhibiting anti-cancer effects. It also strengthens blood vessel walls and improves the resistance of capillaries, helping to prevent conditions such as hypertension and stroke. Secondly, the Yucheng Orange has relatively thick peel, making it more resistant to storage and transport compared to other loose-skinned citrus varieties. Harvested in November, it can be stored at room temperature indoors until April of the following year; with proper preservation measures, it can even be kept until July or August for market supply. (Yuhuan County)