Xuzhuang Chestnuts

Xuzhuang Chestnuts

Xuzhuang Chestnuts are a product with geographical indication.

　　Mountain-grown chestnuts — a source of pride and prosperity for the people of Xuzhuang in Shanting, Zaozhuang. The area has developed production bases of 60,000 mu of chestnuts, 40,000 mu of Sichuan pepper, 30,000 mu of persimmons, 20,000 mu of walnuts, and 10,000 mu of assorted fruits, yielding 40,000 tons of dried and fresh fruit annually, including over 6,000 tons of chestnuts. It enjoys the reputation of being the “Hometown of Chestnuts in Southern Shandong.”

　　Chestnut cultivation in this region began long before the Spring and Autumn or Warring States periods. With a wide variety of cultivars, distinctive colors and flavors, and production spread across the entire county, all products are branded under the “Xuzhuang” name. Xuzhuang chestnuts are rich in starch, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, as well as vitamins A, B, C, and B2. Their protein content is 30% higher than that of rice, and their fat content is 20 times greater. The unique quality and reputation of Xuzhuang chestnuts have attracted many foreigners. Professor Lorton from Auburn University in the United States traveled a great distance to visit Xuzhuang. After conducting field research on the chestnut varieties there, he concluded that Xuzhuang is the “global gene bank of chestnuts” and actively introduced American businesspeople to develop Xuzhuang chestnut products in China. Experts from Japan, Canada, Italy, and other countries have visited Xuzhuang over 20 times to study the chestnuts, expressing amazement at their quality. Japan imports Xuzhuang chestnuts, processes them, and produces uniquely flavored chestnut foods, referring to them as “ginseng fruit.”

　　Undoubtedly, Xuzhuang chestnuts have gone global. The people of Xuzhuang are not content with just producing fresh chestnuts; they are also focusing on deep processing. The county has established five chestnut cold storage facilities and more than 200 small canneries. The next step is to develop new products such as chestnut sweet simmered dishes, quick-frozen chestnut meat, chestnut powder, chestnut preserves, chestnut yokan (sweet bean jelly), chestnut juice, and chestnut mushrooms. There is good reason to believe that once these chestnut products hit the market, Xuzhuang will soon become the world-renowned “Kingdom of Chestnuts.”

　　Geographic Scope

　　Xuzhuang Town is located in the northern part of Zaozhuang City and the eastern side of Shanting District, bordering Pingyi and Feixian. It covers a total area of 180 square kilometers, with 42 administrative villages and 233 natural villages, and a population of 56,000. It is one of the largest towns in Zaozhuang by area, with mountainous land accounting for 70% and forest coverage reaching 65%. The protected production area of Xuzhuang Chestnuts spans from Shihang Village in the east to Gaozhuang Village in the west, Liuchuan Village in the south, and Wuwangzhuang Village in the north. It includes 23 administrative villages, with geographic coordinates between 117°29′10″ to 117°39′44″ east longitude and 35°10′ to 35°0′30″ north latitude. The total production area is 6,667 hectares, with an annual output of 35,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Through long-term cultivation and natural selection, Xuzhuang chestnuts have developed their own distinctive characteristics. The nuts are delicately shaped, with bright, rice-yellow husks, strong glutinous texture, sweet and fragrant taste, and excellent mouthfeel. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Xuzhuang chestnuts are nutritionally rich. Per 100 grams of fresh kernel, they contain ≤55% moisture, ≥24.3% starch, ≥14.3% sugar, ≥5% protein, ≥0.7% fat, and ≥2.5% amino acids. They also contain various vitamins and minerals. 3. Safety Requirements: Standards for air, surface water, pesticide use, and product compliance include: NY/T391—2000 Green Food – Environmental Technical Conditions for Production Areas, NY/T393—2000 Green Food – Pesticide Use Standard, and NY/T1042—2006 Green Food – Nuts. These standards apply unless revised; in case of revision, the latest standards issued by the Ministry of Agriculture shall prevail.