Linzhou Prickly Ash

Linzhou Prickly Ash

　　Linzhou Prickly Ash is a specialty of Linzhou City, Anyang, Henan Province. Thanks to the unique geographical, climatic, and soil conditions of the southern Taihang Mountains, Linzhou Prickly Ash is renowned both domestically and internationally for its bright red color, large size, thick flesh, strong aroma, and superior quality. It is often referred to as the "Fragrance That Spreads Ten Miles," and Linzhou City has also been honored with the title "Hometown of Chinese Prickly Ash."

　　Linzhou City is situated in the mountainous region of the southern Taihang Mountains. The area’s distinctive climate and soil conditions are highly suitable for growing prickly ash. Leveraging the national policy of “Grain for Green,” Linzhou City has actively guided farmers in mountainous areas to adjust their planting structure and vigorously develop the cultivation of the “Da Hong Pao” brand of prickly ash trees. This initiative has not only greened barren hills but also brought substantial income to local farmers.

　　In recent years, the Linzhou Quality Supervision Bureau has taken the application for Linzhou Prickly Ash to become a National Geographical Indication Product as a starting point, actively carrying out cultivation and advocacy efforts that have significantly promoted the growth of the Linzhou Prickly Ash industry. First, they urged the municipal government to initiate the national geographical indication product application process for Linzhou Prickly Ash, assigning forestry technicians to provide village-specific support services for variety improvement and technical guidance. Second, they advanced standardized cultivation of prickly ash. Standardization professionals developed the “Linzhou Prickly Ash” production technical regulations based on climatic conditions and industry characteristics, and provided hands-on guidance in the fields to help farmers standardize production and processing practices. Third, they accelerated the development of prickly ash planting bases. With the support of the national Grain for Green policy, farmers were encouraged to leverage their geographical advantages to expand prickly ash cultivation. The city now has nearly 100,000 mu of prickly ash plantings, forming over 80 planting bases that benefit more than 30,000 farming households, with an annual output exceeding 1.5 million kilograms. Prickly ash cultivation has truly become a “money tree” for the mountain people of Linzhou and a treasure trove for local economic development.