Zhongxiang Century Egg

Zhongxiang Century Egg

Zhongxiang century eggs are recognized as a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Zhongxiang century eggs are produced in 18 towns, farms, subdistricts, and management areas in Zhongxiang City, including Fengle, Hují, and Shipai. These century eggs feature a transparent eggshell; a semi-transparent egg white; prominent pine flower patterns with beautiful designs resembling pine and cypress bonsai; a dark green yolk with rich color layers; a delicious, tender texture, aromatic when sniffed close, and refreshing to eat. Zhongxiang century eggs are highly nutritious, have an excellent taste, are lead-free and contain no harmful substances. Rich in zinc, selenium, and protein, they are deeply loved by consumers. With 60 years of production history, the annual output is around 120 million eggs, generating a production value of 120 million yuan. During the 1970s and 1980s, Zhongxiang century eggs became widely known for their premium quality and delicious taste, selling well in domestic markets such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Liaoning, and Hefei. They are also best-selling, featured, and exemption-inspected products in major supermarkets like Walmart and Zhongbai Storage in Wuhan and Kunming. Furthermore, Zhongxiang century eggs are exported to international markets including South Korea, Canada, and Japan.

　　Region:

　　Hubei

　　Applicant:

　　Zhongxiang Egg Industry Association

　　Region:

　　2014

　　Geographical Scope

　　Zhongxiang century eggs are produced in 18 towns, subdistricts, and management areas in Zhongxiang City, including Yangzi, Changshou, Fengle, Hují, Shuanghe, Linkuang, Wenji, Lengshui, Shipai, Chaihu, Jiukou, Changtan, Dongqiao, Kedian, Zhangji, Jiuli Hui Ethnic Township, Yingzhong Subdistrict, and Guanzhuanghu Management Area. Zhongxiang City is located in the central part of Hubei Province, along 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, with geographical coordinates between 112°07′–113°00′ east longitude and 30°42′–31°36′ north latitude. The landforms in 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 Jingshan County to the east, Tianmen City and Shayang County to the south, Jingmen City to the west, and Yicheng City and Suizhou City to the north. Zhongxiang produces around 120 million high-quality century eggs annually, generating a production value of 120 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External sensory characteristics: The eggs have a transparent shell with a glossy appearance and elasticity; they do not stick to the shell and come in four types of yolk consistency: small soft center, large soft center, sandy center, and hard center. The egg white is semi-transparent, appearing dark green or tea brown. Pine flower patterns are prominent, with beautiful designs resembling pine and cypress bonsai. The yolk is dark green, with oily soft centers in soft-center eggs and rich color layers in hard-center eggs. The eggs are delicious, tender, aromatic when sniffed close, and refreshing to eat. Each Zhongxiang century egg weighs about 70 grams. 2. Internal quality indicators: Zhongxiang century eggs contain zinc ≥1.28 mg/100g, selenium ≥22.5 μg/100g, and protein ≥10.2 g/100g. 3. Quality and safety standards: Zhongxiang century eggs comply with the "Pollution-Free Food Century Egg Production Technical Specifications (NY5143-2002)."