Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey

Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey

Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey, also known as Osmanthus Honey, has gone through several name changes throughout history. In ancient times, it was called Stone Honey, Rock Honey, or Winter Honey. Later, because the flowers bees gathered resembled camellias, it was also named Camellia Honey. In 1964, after being appraised by the Agricultural Work Department of the Provincial Party Committee, it was determined that the flowers the honey came from were from the genus Syringa of the Theaceae family. The branches, leaves, and blossoms of the Syringa closely resemble those of osmanthus in color, fragrance, and appearance, hence it was renamed Wild Osmanthus Honey. The production of Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey has a history of 1,500 years. Before the Republican era, beekeeping mainly involved raising Chinese honeybees in hanging hives placed under sunny, ventilated eaves, where the bees would naturally reproduce and produce honey. Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey refers to high-quality honey produced within Chongyang County, Hubei Province, collected by Chinese honeybees from wild osmanthus flowers. Its honey initially appears white or light amber in color, and turns milky white upon crystallization. It has a delicate texture, sweet and mellow taste, a unique aroma, and a distinctive flavor.

　　Wild Osmanthus Honey is produced in the harsh winter, free from pesticide poisoning and pest contamination. It is rich in iron, calcium, protein, vitamins, riboflavin, and more, and provides auxiliary therapeutic benefits for chronic hepatitis, hypertension, tuberculosis, heart disease, and arteriosclerosis.

　　Osmanthus Honey, also known as Wild Osmanthus Honey, has gone through several name changes throughout history. In ancient times, it was called Stone Honey, Rock Honey, or Winter Honey. Later, because the flowers bees gathered resembled camellias, it was also named Camellia Honey. In 1964, after being appraised by the Agricultural Work Department of the Provincial Party Committee, it was determined that the flowers the honey came from were from the genus Syringa of the Theaceae family. The branches, leaves, and blossoms of the Syringa closely resemble those of osmanthus in color, fragrance, and appearance, hence it was renamed Wild Osmanthus Honey.

　　It is produced in areas such as Sutang, Lukou, Shicheng, Huapo, Daqiao, and Bani in Chongyang County, with Jintang being the main production area. The Syringa plants in this area alone cover a total of over 80,000 mu. The county’s annual honey production exceeds 300,000 jin. Wild Osmanthus Honey is pure white and transparent, with a fragrant aroma, high purity, and does not change the color of water when dissolved in it. The highest concentration can be carried wrapped in paper. It is highly nutritious, with each pound containing 1.4 grams of protein, 23 milligrams of calcium, 73 milligrams of iron, 17 milligrams of riboflavin, 16 grams of vitamin C, and more. It has significant therapeutic effects on chronic hepatitis, hypertension, tuberculosis, gastric ulcers, heart disease, and arteriosclerosis. It is hailed as the “King of Honey.” It is now not only popular domestically but also exported to Southeast Asia, Japan, and other countries.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The production area of Chongyang Wild Osmanthus Honey is centered around Hanquan Village in Jintang Town, located between 29°12’–29°41’ north latitude and 113°43’–114°21’ east longitude. It borders Tongshan County to the east, Xiushui County of Jiangxi Province to the south, and is adjacent to Tongcheng County to the west, covering a vast area involving 34 villages across six towns: Gaojian, Jintang, Qingshan, Gangkou, Tongzhong, and Lukou. The total area is 437,000 mu, with an annual honey production of 400 tons.