Licheng Walnuts

Licheng Walnuts

Licheng Walnuts are a geographical indication certification trademark.

Licheng Walnuts are a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Walnuts have been cultivated in Licheng District for over 600 years and are a major variety of dried fruit exported from Jinan. The "Chicken Claw Soft" and "Paper Shell" walnuts are the most famous. Renowned worldwide for their rich nutritional value, walnuts are hailed as a "health food." They benefit the brain and nervous system, serve as a nourishing tonic, and are suitable for conditions such as chronic cough due to lung weakness, asthma, and post-illness weakness. As a specialty of Jinan, they are exported to various European countries.

　　With a long cultivation history spanning over 2,000 years, historical records from the 36th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign in the Licheng County Annals state that hundred-year-old walnut trees were widely distributed across the county. Today, villages such as Qicheng and Lijia in Liubu Town, Liujia in Zhonggong Town, and Shangjianggan in Xiyingshan Town still preserve 300–400-year-old trees, with century-old trees visible everywhere. The region’s unique natural conditions have given rise to the internationally renowned "Chicken Claw Soft Walnut." This variety is known for its strong adaptability, large size (average single nut weight of 14.5g), uniformity, smooth surface, thin shell, kernel yield of over 50%, oil extraction rate of 75–78%, and protein content of 11–15%. When eaten raw, it has no astringent taste, boasts a crisp and fragrant texture, and is suitable for fresh consumption or processing. It is an excellent walnut variety, celebrated both within and outside the province for its large size, premium quality, and delicious flavor. It has been widely included in the "Fruit Tree Cultivation" textbooks of agricultural universities such as China Agricultural University, Hebei Agricultural University, and Shandong Agricultural University, as well as in many other educational materials.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected production area of Licheng Walnuts is located between 116°55'24''–117°22'15'' east longitude and 35°19'51''–36°53'45'' north latitude. It covers seven towns (sub-districts)—Ga’er, Liubu, Xiyingshan, Gangou, Caishi, Zhonggong, and Jinxiuchuan—in the southern mountainous region of Licheng, encompassing 150 administrative villages. The production area spans 14,000 hectares, with output exceeding 10,000 tons in 2010.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The fruits must be fully mature, with imperfect fruits (underripe, insect-damaged, moldy, or cracked) not exceeding 10%. The shells should be smooth, clean, and dry (kernel moisture content must not exceed 6.5%), and the overall fruit uniformity should be good. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Kernel yield ≥40%. Nutritional components per 100g of dried walnut kernels: protein ≥21%, fat ≥62%, calcium ≥170mg, phosphorus ≥3×10²mg, iron ≥30mg. 3. Safety Requirements: Clearly specify the mandatory national technical standards, detailed content, and relevant legal regulations that the registered product must comply with for market access. Compliance is required with the national non-pollution walnut safety standards outlined in GB18407.2-2001.