Xiuzhou Zui Li

Xiuzhou Zui Li

Xiuzhou Zui Li is a product with geographical indication.

　　Zui Li is a symbol of the Wu-Yue culture in the Jiangnan region and serves as a living fossil that bears witness to the history of Jiaxing. The name “Jiaxing” came after “Zui Li,” with the latter having a history in the city of at least 2,500 years. In recent years, the Xiuzhou District government has placed great emphasis on its development. In 1999, the Jiaxing Research Association was established to conduct in-depth research on Jiaxing Zui Li. Together with the provincial Department of Agriculture, they launched a project for the rescue and development of Zui Li to protect, develop, and enhance this fruit. This initiative aims to accelerate the expansion of the Xiuzhou Zui Li industry’s scale and improve its quality, thereby achieving industrialized production.

　　Zui Li has been cultivated in Xiuzhou for at least 2,500 years. Xiuzhou Zui Li features large fruit size, thick skin that is easy to peel, and turns dark purple like amber when ripe. The flesh is light orange-yellow, softens when fully ripe, becomes pulpy, and is tender, juicy, sweet, refreshing, and carries a wine-like aroma, making it the best among all plum varieties. Historically considered a “tribute from Jiangnan,” it is highly favored by consumers.

　　Xiuzhou District has always attached great importance to the development of the Zui Li industry. It has formulated relevant development plans and introduced subsidy policies—for instance, offering a subsidy of 400 yuan per mu for newly planted Zui Li orchards of 10 mu or more. The district also launched the “Zui Li Thousand Households Campaign” to deliver seedlings to villages and plant trees at households, aiming to accelerate both the scale expansion and quality enhancement of the Xiuzhou Zui Li industry. In collaboration with Zhejiang University and other institutions, the district has conducted research on screening high-quality Zui Li varieties and improving fruit-setting stability, addressing technical challenges such as low fruit-setting rates and unstable yields. A production technical regulation for Xiuzhou Zui Li has been established, along with a set of quality control measures to ensure the fruit’s quality. After years of development, the Zui Li cultivation area has expanded to over 600 mu, with an output value of up to 15,000 yuan per mu. The geographical indication registration and protection of “Xiuzhou Zui Li” will play a positive role in boosting its visibility, increasing product added value, and raising farmers’ income.

　　Xiuzhou Zui Li

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Xiuzhou Zui Li agricultural products covers Xiuzhou District, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. It includes 5 towns, 2 sub-districts, and 115 administrative villages. The easternmost point is Qianjiaqiao Village in Youchegang Town, the southernmost is Sanjian Village in Wangdian Town, the westernmost is Qixing Village in Xincheng Town, and the northernmost is Shuangta Village in Wangjiangjing Town. The geographical coordinates are between 120°36′–120°46′ east longitude and 30°35′–30°43′ north latitude, covering a total area of 542 square kilometers.

　　Product Quality and Characteristic Features

　　(1) Unique Sensory Characteristics: Xiuzhou Zui Li has large, flat-round fruits with a broad and flat top. The top indentation is shallow and often features a single yellowish-brown fingernail-like mark (reputedly the “mark of Xishi’s finger”). The skin is thick, tough, and easy to peel, with a yellow-green base color overlaid with dark purplish-red hues and densely scattered yellowish-brown speckles. When ripe, the fruit turns dark purple like amber. The surface is covered with a layer of white powdery bloom, giving the fruit an enchantingly delicate appearance. The flesh is light orange-yellow, softens when ripe, becomes pulpy, and tastes sweet, refreshing, and carries a wine-like aroma, making it the finest among plum varieties. Historically considered a “tribute from Jiangnan.” (2) Unique Internal Quality Indicators: Contains 15.2%–16.8% soluble solids, is tender and juicy with few fibers and no hard bits. Has an acidity level of 0.75%–0.95%, is rich in various vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, and iron. It offers a well-balanced sweet-and-sour taste, a rich flavor, and a unique wine-like aroma. (3) Xiuzhou Zui Li production bases are located far from pollution sources such as towns and factories, ensuring a clean production environment. Cooperatives grow and produce the fruit in accordance with pollution-free and green food production standards.