Hong'an Peanuts

Hong'an Peanuts

Hong'an Peanuts is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Hong'an Peanuts is a product certified under the Agricultural Geographical Indication program.

　　Hong'an has a long history of peanut cultivation. The 69th volume of the Commercial Section in the 1909 Huang'an Local Chronicles (Huang'an Xiangtu Zhi) from the first year of the Xuantong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1909) states: "The peanut harvest is thriving, with distinctions between foreign and native varieties. Foreign varieties are larger but less fragrant, with sturdy roots and stems that make them easy to bundle." By the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period, "peanut cultivation flourished more than ever," expanding from north to south across Hong'an and covering the entire county. The people of Hong'an regard peanuts as a symbol of luck and celebration, and they are an essential feature at festive banquets. When proposing marriage, the groom's family includes peanuts along with cypress branches in the gift baskets. During weddings, the bride’s dowry also contains peanuts and assorted dried fruits, while peanuts and red dates are hidden in pillows and bedding in the bridal chamber. On New Year’s Eve, every household in Hong'an roasts peanuts to see in the new year, and on the first day of the lunar new year, guests are always served peanuts. In 1963, when Li Xiannian returned to his hometown for an inspection, locals served him a basket of roasted peanuts, prompting him to remark on how fragrant Hong'an peanuts were. In 1958, when Chairman Mao met with representatives of Hong'an cadres experimenting with trial farmland in Wuchang, he repeatedly praised: “Hong'an’s peanuts are good, Hong'an’s peanuts are good!”

　　Hong'an Peanuts are a specialty of Hong'an County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province. Hong'an County is one of China’s first peanut production base counties, and Hong'an Peanuts are known for their thin shells, plump kernels, high quality, and high oil yield.

　　Hong'an County is a major peanut-producing county in Hubei Province, with a long cultivation history, skilled farming techniques, and suitable soil and climate conditions.

　　Peanut cultivation in Hong'an County began as early as the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. In 1957, it became a key national peanut production county, and in 1986, it was listed among the first national peanut production base counties. By 2000, the planting area exceeded 200,000 mu, reaching 214,700 mu, accounting for 43.3% of the county’s arable land and 7.4% of the province’s peanut acreage. Total output reached 51.81 million kilograms, nearly one-tenth of the province’s total. In 2010, the peanut planting area surpassed 400,000 mu, making up 56.6% of the county’s total cultivated land, 13.6% of the province’s total peanut area, with output exceeding 100 million kilograms. The value of raw peanut production reached 370 million yuan, accounting for 12.5% of the county’s total agricultural output.

　　Hong'an peanuts are now sold all over China, making Hong'an one of the top 100 oilseed-producing counties in the nation. In earlier years, varieties such as “Hong’an No. 1” through “Honghua No. 6” were well-known in the national oilseed industry. Today, the county has also adopted plastic-film peanut cultivation, which increases yields and shortens the maturation period, further boosting the popularity of Hong'an peanuts across the country. The richly aromatic Hong'an peanut oil is distributed nationwide, while Hong'an peanut butter is exported around the world.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco covers four towns in Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province: Junxian Town, Xijiadian Town, Haoping Town, and Shigu Town, totaling 46 administrative villages. Its geographic coordinates lie between 110°08′–111°34′ east longitude and 32°14′–32°58′ north latitude. The planted area of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco is 733 hectares, with an annual output of 1,000 tons and a production value of 18 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance and Sensory Features: Raw tobacco appearance: small leaf angle, 28–34 leaves per plant, narrow and thick leaves with fine veins, broadly elliptical in shape; petioles have hair, do not droop excessively; easy to yellow and lose green color, low moisture content; deep yellow color with full hue, abundant oil, fine texture, moderate thickness, good maturity, strong filling power, good elasticity, and rich aroma. Finished tobacco leaves: strong fragrance, flaky texture when rubbed by hand, good combustibility, leaving white ash after burning; full-bodied taste, strong impact, low irritation; moderate sugar content, balanced chemical composition; smooth and delicate smoke, comfortable and clean aftertaste, balanced strength and aroma, good compatibility, and strong industrial usability. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: High safety profile with no toxic residues or pesticide remains; key chemical components forming the basis of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco include “high sugar, appropriate nicotine, rich potassium, and protein.” Protein: 6%–8%, total sugar: 12%–16%, total nitrogen: 2.2%–2.8%, nicotine: 3%–3.8%, potassium: 1.2%–1.7%, chlorine: 0.6%–1.2%. 3. Safety Requirements: Environmental requirements follow NY/T852 Technical Conditions for Tobacco Growing Environments; pesticide use complies with the Recommendations for Pesticide Use in Tobacco (issued by China Tobacco Leaf Corporation); quality standards adhere to DB42/T225—2002 Junxian Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco.