Zhongxiang Peanuts

Zhongxiang Peanuts

Zhongxiang peanuts are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Zhongxiang peanuts are grown in 18 towns, subdistricts, and management areas along both banks of the Han River in Zhongxiang City, including Hují, Shuānghé, Fēnglè, and Jiùkǒu. These peanuts are a type of small, pearl bean peanut. Their pods are cocoon-shaped, with thin, neat shells, and they usually contain two kernels. The seeds are peach-shaped, pinkish, crisp when raw, and rich in aroma. They are high in crude protein, crude fat content, and linoleic acid, offering higher nutritional value than eggs or milk. Regular consumption can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. A local rhyme in Zhongxiang goes: “Eating Zhongxiang peanuts regularly keeps you healthy; once you’ve had them, you won’t crave meat.” The cultivation of Zhongxiang peanuts has a history of over a thousand years. In 1949, the total planting area reached 25,400 mu, with large-scale cultivation beginning in the 1950s. By 2002, the city’s peanut planting area hit a historical high of 213,000 mu. Currently, the perennial planting area is 120,000 mu, yielding 42,000 tons of high-quality peanuts annually, with an output value exceeding 400 million yuan. The products are sold to provinces and cities such as Beijing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangxi, Fujian, Hunan, Shanghai, and Wuhan, and are in high demand.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Zhongxiang peanuts are produced in 18 towns, subdistricts, and management areas in Zhongxiang City, including Yángzǐ, Chángshòu, Fēnglè, Hújí, Shuānghé, Línkù, Wénjí, Lěngshuǐ, Shípái, Cháihú, Jiùkǒu, Chángtān, Dōngqiáo, Kèdiàn, Zhāngjí, Jiǔlǐ Huízú Xiāng, Yǐngzhōng Subdistrict, and Guānzhuānghú Management Area. Zhongxiang City is located in central Hubei Province, in the middle reaches of the Han River, at the northern end of the Jianghan Plain, in the transitional zone between the Jianghan Plain and the northern Hubei uplands. The city covers an area of 4,488 square kilometers. Its geographical coordinates are between 112°07′–113°00′ east longitude and 30°42′–31°36′ north latitude. The landforms of the city consist of hills, plains, and mountainous areas, in a ratio of 5:3:2, with elevations ranging from 32.5 to 1,051 meters. It borders Jīngshān County to the east, Tiānmén City and Shāyáng County to the south, Jīngmén City to the west, and Yíchéng City and Suízhōu City to the north. The perennial planting area of Zhongxiang peanuts is 120,000 mu, yielding 42,000 tons of high-quality peanuts annually.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Zhongxiang peanuts are a type of small, pearl bean peanut. Their pods are cocoon-shaped with blunt tips and fine, deep reticulations. They have a high full-seed rate, thin and neat shells, and usually contain two kernels. The hundred-kernel weight is 160–185g. The seeds are peach-shaped, pinkish, with a hundred-seed weight of 65–85g. They are crisp when eaten raw and have a strong aroma when roasted. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Zhongxiang peanuts are rich in nutrients, have a unique quality, and offer a crispy texture with a long-lasting, rich aroma. The linoleic acid content (as a percentage of total fat) is ≥30.0%, crude protein content is ≥25.0%, and crude fat content is ≥45.0%. They have a high oil yield. Regular consumption can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. They are highly favored by consumers. 3. Safety Requirements: Zhongxiang peanuts comply with the standards of the "Green Food Peanuts and Products" (NY/T420-2009).