Wenzu Prickly Ash

Wenzu Prickly Ash

Wenzu Prickly Ash is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Wenzu Prickly Ash is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Wenzu Prickly Ash: The history of prickly ash cultivation in Zhangqiu dates back a long time. Historical records indicate that planting began as early as the Northern Wei Dynasty, with large-scale cultivation starting during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, and it has been continuously grown ever since. Wenzu Prickly Ash is a renowned agricultural product of Zhangqiu City, with its production concentrated in the picturesque southern mountainous region of the city. This area is part of the foothills of the Taiyi Mountain Range, surrounded by rolling peaks, high altitudes, and significant diurnal temperature variations. The clean air and mountainous terrain create ideal conditions for prickly ash growth. The main varieties are Dahongpao (Big Red Robe) and Xiaohongpao (Small Red Robe), among which Dahongpao stands out for its large, brightly colored grains, rich flavor, thick flesh, bright red exterior, and pale yellow interior—making it the highest quality.

　　Wenzu Prickly Ash

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected geographical area for Wenzu Prickly Ash is within Zhangqiu City, Shandong Province. The geographical coordinates are: 117°22′–117°38′ east longitude and 36°27′–37°39′ north latitude, with an altitude ranging from 118 meters to 45.4 meters. It spans 70 km from north to south and 37 km from east to west, covering a total area of 55,619 hectares, with a production area of 2,400 hectares and an annual output of over 3,000 tons. It mainly involves four towns in the southern part of Zhangqiu City: Guanzhuang Town, as well as Wenzu, Duozhuang, and Caofan, encompassing 182 administrative villages.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Wenzu Prickly Ash features large, uniformly sized fruit; the skin is bright red with densely packed oil glands and a plump appearance; the opening is wide, and the inner pericarp is smooth and pale yellow; it boasts a rich, long-lasting aroma and a pure numbing flavor. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Wenzu Dahongpao Prickly Ash is highly nutritious, with internal quality indicators including: protein ≥11.0%, calcium ≥1.0%, phosphorus ≥220 (mg/100g), iron ≥170 (mg/100g), and total amino acids ≥6.0 (g/100g). It is also rich in volatile oils, non-volatile extracts, and alcohol-soluble extracts. 3. Safety Requirements: The production environment for Wenzu Prickly Ash must comply with the "Technical Conditions for the Production Environment of Green Food" (NY5010-2002). Prickly ash entering the market must meet the quality standards of the Ministry of Agriculture's "Green Food Spices" (NYT901-2004). Products that fall under the circumstances outlined in Article 33 of the "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law" may not be sold on the market.