Youxi Kumquat

Youxi Kumquat

Youxi Kumquat is a geographical indication protected product.

Youxi Kumquat is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Kumquat (commonly known as kinkan or green orange), with its round fruit, ripens in winter and is a prized variety among citrus fruits.

　　　 The earliest kumquat cultivation in Youxi County began in Hongpai Village, Baziqiao. According to the 1711 (50th year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty) *Youxi County Annals*: “Kumquats with elongated fruits are called kumquat dates, those that are round are called kumquats. There are also mountain kumquats, commonly known as kumquat beans.” This shows that kumquats have been cultivated in Youxi for at least 270 years. In recent years, the planting area in Baziqiao and Guanqian has exceeded 10,000 mu, with total production reaching over 1,100 tons, earning the region the title of Fujian’s “Home of Kumquats.” Youxi County has now become one of the four major kumquat production areas in China.

　　　 Youxi kumquats are beautifully shaped, brightly colored, juicy, tender, and pleasantly sweet and sour, with those from the “Three Hongs” (i.e., Hongpai, Hongcun, and Hongtian villages) of Baziqiao being of the highest quality. The fruit pulp is rich in various vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, and other nutrients, ranking among the top in nutritional value among citrus fruits. Besides being eaten fresh, kumquats can also be processed into juice, jam, canned goods, and preserves. The Youxi Canning Factory and Kumquat Products Factory have produced and sold canned kumquats and jam. Manufacturers in Xiamen, Fuzhou, and other cities use Youxi kumquats as raw materials to produce canned kumquats and preserves, which are exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, America, and other regions.

　　The geographical indication protection area for Youxi Kumquat is defined according to the scope proposed in the *Request for Delimitation of the Geographical Indication Protection Area for Youxi Kumquat* (Youzheng Wen [2006] No. 199) issued by Youxi County, Fujian Province, covering the entire current administrative region of Youxi County.