Yishui Big Cherries

Yishui Big Cherries

Yishui Big Cherries are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Yishui County’s big cherries have a long cultivation history. They were first introduced in 1901 by German missionaries and initially planted around the Catholic church on the Madonna Mountain in Xiawu Town. There remain 21 of these original trees. Despite being over a hundred years old, they are still lush and bear abundant fruit, yielding more than 1,000 kilograms of cherries annually and generating tens of thousands of yuan in value. Their characteristics include early maturity, earning them the reputation of “the first branch of spring blossoms.” The fruits are dark purple-red, bright in color, with an average single fruit weight of about 10 grams. They have a unique flavor and are rich in nutrients, enjoying a high reputation both within and outside the province.

　　Currently, the cultivation of big cherries in Yishui County has begun to take shape. In addition to the original varieties, excellent new varieties such as “Big Purple,” “Napoleon,” “Red Lantern,” and the Ukrainian series of big cherries have been introduced in recent years. Among these, the development of the ten-thousand-mu big cherry base in Xiawu Town has been included in the overall plan for mountainous area development across the city.

　　Yishui Big Cherries

　　Geographic Scope

　　The production area spans 19 towns and townships in Yishui County under the jurisdiction of Linyi City, Shandong Province, including Xiawu Town, Yishui Town, Zhuge Town, Shagou Town, Mazhan Town, Fuguangzhuang Township, Yangzhuang Town, and others. The geographic coordinates are between 118°12′00″ to 119°13′00″ east longitude and 35°36′00″ to 36°13′00″ north latitude. The highest point is Taibodai Mountain at the southern foot of Mount Yi in the northern part of the county, with an altitude of 916.1 meters. The lowest point is located east of Zhushuang Village in the northeast of the county, with an altitude of 101.1 meters. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of -3°C, while July is the hottest, averaging 25.5°C. The extreme maximum temperature reaches 39.2°C, and the extreme minimum temperature is -24.9°C. The annual average temperature is 12.3°C, with an average annual precipitation of 782.1 mm, a frost-free period of 205.2 days, and an annual accumulated effective temperature of 5183.7°C. The average diurnal temperature range from August to September is 9.8°C, with a maximum of 14.2°C and a minimum of 3.5°C. In October, the average diurnal temperature range is 10.5°C, with a maximum of 15.6°C and a minimum of 4°C. The altitude ranges from 101.1 to 916.1 meters.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The product exhibits the natural features of pollution-free big cherries, with normal quality and no deterioration. The fruits are uniform in size, well-shaped, brightly colored, richly aromatic, and have good storage and transport resistance. The sensory quality meets the requirements of the physical standard sample for this grade. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Soluble solids ≥13%, hardness (N/cm²) ≥78.4, total acid ≤0.4%, total sugar content 9%–13%, vitamin C ≤169.02 mg/100g. 3. Safety Requirements: Yishui Big Cherries comply with the standards of the “Pollution-Free Food Big Cherry” (NY 5011-2001).