Xishao Red Apricots

Xishao Red Apricots

Xishao Red Apricots are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Xishao Red Apricots are named after their best production area in Xishao Township. Most of Xishao was once part of the old course of the Yellow River, where sandy dunes were widespread and orchards covered the land, with apricot trees commonly planted by local farmers. With a long history and diverse varieties, these apricots are known for being large, having thin skins, thick flesh, small pits, and a pleasant sweet-and-sour taste. In recent years, new varieties have been successfully introduced, offering high economic value and being sold both within and beyond the province.

　　Xishao Red Apricots have a delicious taste and unique flavor, making them highly favored by consumers. In addition to the general nutritional components found in apricots, they are particularly rich in vitamin C, total sugar, soluble solids, and calcium. They contain 9.1–11.08 mg/100g of vitamin C, 1–1.49% titratable acid, 7–7.8% total sugar, and 85–94.0 mg/kg of calcium.

　　Xishao Red Apricots

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected production area of Nandai County’s Xishao Red Apricots is located within Nandai County. It borders Longwangmiao Township of Daming County, Hebei Province to the north, Sizhuang Township of the same county to the west, Gujinlou Township of Sizhuang Township to the south, and Gujinlou Township to the east. The adjacent protected area includes 27 administrative villages in Xishao Township, covering a total regional area of 48 square kilometers. The geographical coordinates of the protected area are between 36°07′ and 36°11′ north latitude, and 115°12′ and 115°13′ east longitude. The suitable planting area for red apricots spans 25,000 mu (within the sandy loam and windblown sand region of the old Yellow River course), with an annual yield of 9,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The fruit is oval-shaped, with varying colors including bright red, yellow, and yellow-red, and has a glossy surface. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: In addition to the general nutritional components of apricots, Xishao Red Apricots are especially high in vitamin C, total sugar, soluble solids, and calcium. According to testing by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fruit and Seedling Quality Supervision, Inspection and Testing Center (Zhengzhou), Xishao Red Apricots contain 9.1–11.08 mg/100g of vitamin C, 1–1.49% titratable acid, 7–7.8% total sugar, and 85–94.0 mg/kg of calcium. They have a delicious taste and unique flavor, making them highly favored by consumers. 3. Safety Requirements: The production area must comply with the environmental standards for pollution-free forest and fruit products outlined in “NY5013—2006,” and the cultivation process must strictly follow the “Pollution-Free Red Apricot Production Technical Regulations.” The use of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural inputs that are not legally registered or are explicitly banned by the state is prohibited.