Luqiao Loquats

Luqiao Loquats

Luqiao loquats are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Luqiao loquats have a long history, with cultivation dating back to the Song Dynasty. The "Chicheng Annals of Jiading" from the Song Dynasty records: "Loquat leaves are dense and evergreen, blooming in winter and bearing fruit in summer." Historically, Luqiao's total loquat production accounted for one quarter of the national output, making it a major commercial loquat production base in China. Currently, the district has nearly 4,000 acres of loquat plantations, mainly consisting of the varieties Dahongpao and Baisha. Tongyu Subdistrict, the main production area of Luqiao loquats, was jointly named "China’s Hometown of Loquats" by the Ministry of Agriculture and other authorities in 1996, and was awarded the title "Zhejiang’s Hometown of Loquats" by the Provincial Forestry Department.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Luqiao District is one of the main urban areas of Taizhou City, located in the central part of Zhejiang’s coastal region, in the middle section of China’s Golden Coast and within the Wenhuai Plain. The district borders the East China Sea to the east, Wenling to the south, Huangyan to the west, and Jiaojiang to the north. Its total land area is 274 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 29.25 square kilometers. The protected production area of Luqiao loquats as a geographical indication agricultural product includes 22 villages across four subdistricts in Luqiao District: Tongyu, Fengjiang, Luoyang, and Lubei. It spans from Baifeng’ao Village in Fengjiang Subdistrict in the east, to Anrong Village in Fengjiang Subdistrict in the south, to Xiaochou Village in Tongyu Subdistrict in the west, and to Gaofeng Village in Tongyu Subdistrict in the north. The region stretches 13.3 kilometers from east to west and 18.8 kilometers from north to south, with geographic coordinates between 120°13′00″ to 121°22′00″ east longitude and 28°27′00″ to 28°38′00″ north latitude.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Red-fleshed Luoyangqing Loquat: The calyx at the fruit apex is bluish-green. The fruit is oval or round, averaging 33 grams with a maximum of 65 grams. The fruit apex is rounded or flat, the surface is orange-red with minimal rust spots, the peel is thick and tough yet easy to peel, and the flesh is orange-red, with moderate firmness, medium juice content, fine texture, and balanced sweetness and acidity. It is highly transportable and storable, and besides being eaten fresh, it is also ideal for canning. Baisha Loquat: The fruit is oval-shaped, weighing over 35 grams per piece, up to a maximum of 70 grams. The peel is pale orange-yellow with rust spots, thin and easy to peel. The flesh is milky white, soft and juicy, sweet with a fragrant aroma, and boasts a uniquely delicious flavor, making it an excellent variety for fresh consumption. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Soluble solids content is 10–14% for Luoyangqing loquats and 12–17% for Baisha loquats; edible rate exceeds 60%, with total acid content ≤0.7 g/100mL. They are also rich in fiber, pectin, beta-carotene, malic acid, citric acid, potassium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, as well as vitamins A, B, and C. (3) Safety Requirements: Luqiao loquats comply with the standards outlined in DB331004/T 04.1-2006 "Pollution-Free Loquat" fruit product criteria.