King Chili Peppers

King Chili Peppers

King Chili Peppers are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　King Chili Peppers are a specialty of Dawang Town, Guangrao County, Dongying City, Shandong Province. Known as "Qin pepper," they are considered the finest among chili varieties and have long been hailed as the "king of chilies." These peppers are prized for their bright red color, intense spiciness, slender shape, thick flesh, rich oil content, and evenly distributed wrinkles. King Chili Peppers are a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Qin pepper, considered the finest among chili varieties, has long been hailed as the "king of chilies." Legend has it that it was cultivated as early as the Warring States period. The peppers are known for their bright red color, strong heat, slender form, thick flesh, and well-distributed wrinkles. They come in two types—green and dried—with the dried variety being especially famous. When ground into powder and sprinkled with hot oil, it makes an excellent condiment. It is also made into chili sauce, which boasts a rich and savory flavor. Qin peppers are rich in vitamin C and various nutrients, and regular consumption can aid digestion and stimulate appetite.

　　Guangrao County Zhongyi Green Vegetable Farmers' Professional Cooperative: Main crops include tomatoes, zucchini, chili peppers, bell peppers, and round eggplants. The cooperative’s registered trademark is “Kaiyin.” Eight vegetable varieties have obtained green certification, 16 have organic certification, and 34 have pollution-free certification. Products are sold to major supermarkets in cities such as Jinan, Zibo, and Dongying. In 2011, the cooperative sold nearly 15,000 tons of vegetables, with an average income increase of 3,000 yuan per member household.

　　In 2013, the "King Chili Peppers" application submitted by Guangrao County Zhongyi Green Vegetable Farmers' Professional Cooperative passed the review by the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was granted national geographical indication agricultural product registration and protection.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Guangrao County is located in the central-northern part of Shandong Province and the southern part of Dongying City. It lies between 118°17′–118°57′ east longitude and 36°56′–37°21′ north latitude. It borders Dongying District to the north, Linzi District of Zibo City to the south, Shouguang City of Weifang City to the east, Qingzhou City to the southeast, and Boxing County to the west, with its northeastern part adjacent to the Laizhou Bay of the Bohai Sea. Covering a total area of 1,137.9 square kilometers, the terrain is entirely flat, and the county is known as the "Hometown of Sun Tzu," the "Birthplace of Lü Opera," and the "Origin of Qi Brushes." Guangrao County administers 2 subdistricts, 6 towns, and 1 township, with a population of 580,000. The designated geographical protection area for King Chili Peppers is Dawang Town, where the Guangrao County Zhongyi Green Vegetable Professional Cooperative is located. The total production area under protection is 94.5 hectares, with an annual yield of 5,500 tons.