Xiangshan Red Mandarin

Xiangshan Red Mandarin

Xiangshan Red Mandarin is a product with a geographical indication.

　　The Xiangshan Red Mandarin is a type of citrus belonging to the orange-mandarin category. It is an outstanding individual strain selected by the County Forestry and Specialty Station from introduced foreign varieties. The tree has medium vigor, with slow expansion of its canopy. Young trees are slightly upright, but become more spreading once they enter the fruiting stage. Branches are relatively dense, and leaves are of medium size. The variety exhibits strong parthenocarpy, with fruits weighing around 200 grams each, uniform in size. The fruit shape is oblate-spherical, with a fruit shape index of 1.2. The flesh is soft, juicy, and aromatic, with soluble solids content of about 12%. It has a moderate level of sweetness. For three consecutive years, the China Ministry of Agriculture's Citrus and Seedling Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Testing Center rated it as: “Uniform and elegant fruit shape, bright and vivid color, thin and delicate peel, tender and melt-in-your-mouth flesh, abundant juice, rich flavor, and excellent quality.” Since the launch of the “Xiangshan Red” mandarin in the spring of 1998, the county has developed a cultivation area of 15,000 mu (including 13,000 mu of high-graft replacement and 2,000 mu of newly planted), accounting for over 45% of the county’s total hybrid citrus planting area. It has now been introduced to all major citrus-producing regions in China and has become a key variety promoted across the province and even the country. The average yield is 1,850 kilograms per mu, with a yield value exceeding 10,000 yuan per mu, demonstrating very significant economic benefits. The promotion has been rapid, with broad development prospects. In December 2000, experts from the Fruit Professional Group of the Crop Variety Approval Committee of Zhejiang Province conducted on-site inspections and unanimously concluded that this variety shows excellent fruit-setting performance, high and stable yields, good appearance, and premium quality, making it an outstanding new mid-to-late season citrus variety. It passed the provincial variety approval committee’s certification. In 2002, it was certified as a provincial-level green agricultural product base, and in 2003, it received titles such as “China Famous Fruit” and Zhejiang Provincial Famous Brand Product.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area using the “Xiangshan Red Mandarin” geographical indication is a specific growing region within Xiangshan County, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China. This area lies between 121°34′–122°20′ east longitude and 28°45′–29°49′ north latitude, bordering the Pacific Ocean. Its geographical location endows Xiangshan with distinct subtropical monsoon climate characteristics, namely four distinct seasons, no severe cold in winter or extreme heat in summer, long frost-free periods, abundant sunlight, mild and moist conditions, and plentiful rainfall—all of which are suitable for citrus production. The core implementation zone of the geographical indication registration mainly includes 19 villages in Xiaotang Township, 18 villages in Gaotang Township, 25 villages in Dingtang Town, 28 villages in Xinqiao Town, 16 villages in Shipu Town, and 21 villages in Hepu Town, covering a total production area of 26,500 mu.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Average single fruit weight is around 200g, with maximums reaching over 350g. The fruit is oblate in shape, with a fruit shape index (vertical diameter/horizontal diameter) of 0.8. The peel is thin and smooth, turning deep orange-red when fully ripe, giving it an attractive and eye-catching appearance. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: The flesh of Xiangshan Red Mandarin is orange-red and tender. First-grade fruits have soluble solids content of over 11.5%, sugar content of over 10g/100ml, total acid below 0.9%, and a solid-acid ratio of approximately 12:1. Juice extraction rate is about 75%, and edible rate exceeds 80%. The fruit is rich in nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Notably, vitamin C content is over 42mg/100ml. (3) Safety Requirements: Must comply with all safety indicators specified in the “Chinese Agricultural Industry Standard – Pollution-Free Food – Citrus Fruits” (NY5014-2005).