Sanqingshan Camellia Oil

Sanqingshan Camellia Oil

Sanqingshan Camellia Oil is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Category: Oil Product Name: Sanqingshan Camellia Oil Registration Certificate No.: AGI01113 Ministry of Agriculture Announcement No./Date: No. 1925 (April 15, 2013) Cultural History: Camellia has been a "royal tribute" since ancient times, with over 2,300 years of cultivation history. As early as more than 100 BC during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, camellia cultivation began. It flourished particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties, when only royalty and nobility could enjoy the flavor of camellia oil. Wild camellia is unique to China, making China’s wild camellia the world’s wild camellia — a natural treasure bestowed upon China. Ancient texts such as the Classic of Mountains and Seas, Tiangong Kaiwu, Nongzheng Quanshu, and Compendium of Materia Medica all document the nutritional and medicinal value of camellia. The Sui Zhi Ju Diet Spectrum even praises it: “Camellia oil is suitable for daily cooking and consumption, especially when steamed.” The entire growth process of camellia requires no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The camellia fruit absorbs natural nutrients and the essence of sunlight and rain throughout its growth from flowering to maturity across winter, spring, summer, and autumn, resulting in extremely high nutritional value. It contains 80–83% oleic acid, 8–9% linoleic acid, and 2–3% linolenic acid.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Sanqingshan is located in Yushan County in the northeastern part of Jiangxi Province, on the upper reaches of the Xin River. It borders Kaihua, Changshan, and Jiangshan in Zhejiang to the east, Guangfeng to the south, Shangrao to the southwest, and Dexing to the north. The geographical protection area of Sanqingshan Camellia Oil includes 16 townships (towns): Nanshan Township, Zi Lake Town, Huaiyu Township, Siguqiao Township, Shuangming Town, Yanrui Town, Xiazhen Town, Xianyan Town, Qunli Township, Liudu Township, Wencheng Town, Hengjie Township, Bimu Town, Zhangcun Town, Xiatang Township, and Linhu Town. The protected area spans longitude 117°51′15″ to 118°25′41″ and latitude 28°30′01″ to 28°59′12″, covering a protected area of 27,333 hectares with an annual production of 12,500 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The camellia fruits are relatively large, with round, peach-shaped, or orange-shaped capsules that split open along the back. The camellia seeds are triangular, tea-brown or black, glossy, and contain abundant kernels. The oil is clear, free of impurities, and has a fragrant aroma. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Oleic acid 74%–87%, linoleic acid 7%–10%, linolenic acid 0.8%–1.1%. 3. Quality and Safety Requirements: ① The origin environment quality complies with NY5013-2006 "Technical Conditions for the Environment of Non-polluted Food Forest and Fruit Product Origins." ② The product quality meets the national standard GB11765-2003 "Camellia Seed Oil."