Caofan Walnuts

Caofan Walnuts

Caofan Walnuts are a product with geographical indication.

　　Caofan Walnuts: The cultivation of Caofan walnuts boasts a long history, dating back over 2,000 years, with documented records spanning more than 500 years. A poem attests to their fame: “Admired for five hundred springs and autumns, renowned in Compendium of Materia Medica, prized for thin shells and fragrant kernels, favored in both domestic and international markets.” They are primarily distributed in towns such as Caofan, Duozhuang, and Wenzu in the southern mountainous region of Zhangqiu City. Their main characteristics include thin shells, large size, thick meat, and being ready to eat when cracked open by hand.

　　Caofan Walnuts

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected production area of Caofan Walnuts is located within the jurisdictions of Caofan, Duozhuang, and Wenzu towns in Zhangqiu City, Shandong Province. The geographical coordinates are: longitude 117°18′20″–117°36′55″ and latitude 36°26′17″–36°38′35″, stretching 23 km from north to south and 27 km from east to west. The protected area spans 36,990 hectares, with over 3,000 hectares under production, involving 122 administrative villages including Dengzhuang, Hetaoyu, and Jingquan in Caofan Town; Yuezi Village, Shangqin, Xiaqin, and Sheduo in Duozhuang Town; and Heiyu and Sandefan in Wenzu Town.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Caofan walnut kernels are oval, oval-round, or oblong (depending on the variety), with a transverse diameter of 33–35 mm. The shell is yellowish-white, clean, with tight sutures, free from exposed kernels, insect damage, mold, off-odors, cracks, empty shells, black spots, or oil exudation. They contain no impurities and have not undergone chemical bleaching. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Caofan walnuts are highly nutritious, with internal quality indicators as follows: protein ≥20%, fat ≥60%, kernel yield ≥50%, calcium ≥170 (mg/100g), phosphorus ≥400 (mg/100g), iron ≥30 (mg/100g). 3. Safety Requirements: The growing environment of Caofan walnuts must comply with the requirements of the Green Food – Environmental Technical Conditions (NY/T 391-2000). Walnuts entering the market must meet the quality standards of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Green Food – Nuts (NY/T 1042-2006). Those falling under the circumstances outlined in Article 33 of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law shall not be sold on the market.