Nanfeng Honey Oranges

Nanfeng Honey Oranges

Nanfeng Honey Oranges are a protected geographical indication product.

Nanfeng Honey Oranges are a certified geographical indication trademark.

Nanfeng Honey Oranges are an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Nanfeng Honey Oranges are one of the fine ancient varieties of citrus in China and one of the prestigious specialties of Jiangxi Province. Historically, they have been renowned both in China and abroad for their golden-yellow color, thin peel, tender flesh, absence of residue when eaten, richly sweet flavor, and fragrant aroma. According to the ancient text "Yu Gong," over two thousand years ago, the oranges produced in the Nanfeng area were already listed as “tribute fruits.” Zeng Gong, one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties and a native of Nanfeng, once wrote a poem praising the oranges of his hometown: “Brightly colored, hundreds are seen as autumn fruits, clustered among leaves on frost-laden branches. Emerald feathers and tasseled streamers emerge from the heavenly procession, golden balls playfully collide. Within the clusters, how could oranges and pomelos be deemed cheap? Only when placed in the tripod are salt and plum sufficient for harmony. Suffering disdain from vulgar eyes in rivers and lakes, even in the imperial palace, ordinary trees still seem too many. Who can offer them to the Son of Heaven? A great tree towering above the waves.” This shows that at the time, honey oranges could be presented to the emperor, hence Nanfeng Honey Oranges also earned the reputation of “Tribute Oranges.” In international exchanges, they were once hailed by Comrade Stalin as the “King of Oranges.”

　　Over 200 years ago, Nanfeng Honey Oranges began specialized production. The Qing Dynasty’s Lu Qiguang recorded in "Nanfeng Customs and Products Annals": “Honey oranges are widely known. In late autumn, fences are laden with red and green clusters. Those produced in Fujian and Guangdong are inferior in sweetness and fragrance. People in Yangmei Village near Shuinan south of the city, not engaging in farming, specialize in this industry.” With social development, the production of honey oranges has now achieved scientific breeding and cultivation. Nanfeng Honey Oranges are highly valuable for both consumption and medicinal use—the whole fruit is precious. The fresh fruit is rich in nutrients: 100 ml of juice contains 11.3 grams of sugar, about 1 gram of citric acid, 19.5 mg of vitamin C, and 14% soluble solids (mainly sugars, amino acids, phosphorus, iron, calcium, and other elements). The orange peel helps regulate qi, invigorate the spleen, dispel dampness, and resolve phlegm; the orange pulp strands help open channels, relax tendons, regulate qi, and activate blood circulation; the orange seeds can regulate qi, disperse nodules, and relieve pain. Nanfeng Honey Oranges can also serve as raw materials for processing industries—for example, hesperidin extracted from the peel can be made into medications for preventing arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarction; the flesh can be used to brew wine or vinegar, producing unique-flavored products such as honey orange champagne and honey orange cola. Orange peel and flowers can be refined into natural pectin and flavorings, which are safely and widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

　　Nanfeng Honey Oranges originated from the Rujú (soft citrus). Nanfeng County is surrounded by mountains, located south of Hongzhou (now Nanchang), making winters warmer and summers cooler than in Hongzhou, which is suitable for the growth of Rujú. Before the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, more than 1,300 years ago, Rujú was introduced to Nanfeng. Due to the favorable ecological conditions, it quickly became a major fruit tree cultivated by local farmers. After long-term breeding, although derived from Rujú, it developed new characteristics—sweeter taste, higher sugar and lower acidity, and a rich fragrance, making it uniquely distinctive among citrus. Because its taste resembles honey, it came to be called “Honey Orange,” and when sold outside the region, it was named after its place of origin as “Nanfeng Honey Orange.” Since the Tang and Song dynasties, Nanfeng Honey Oranges have been listed as tribute fruits by successive imperial courts, hence earning the title “Tribute Orange.” The late Qing and early Republican periods marked the golden age of Nanfeng Honey Orange production, with peak annual yields reaching up to 120,000 dan. By the Republican era, due to the impact of war and disasters, production declined from its peak, with large numbers of orange trees being cut down, orchards abandoned, and yields dropping sharply to generally only 10,000–20,000 dan annually. By the eve of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the area under Nanfeng Honey Orange cultivation was less than 3,000 mu, with an annual output of 17,789 dan. The cultivation of Nanfeng Honey Oranges was concentrated in the urban area and nearby villages such as Yaopu, Shuinan, Yangmei, and Maodian, with little cultivation found beyond 5 kilometers from the city. After the founding of the PRC, the Party and the people’s government placed great emphasis on developing honey orange production, adopting a series of effective measures to assist and support orange farmers in restoring and expanding production through policy, technology, economy, and management.