Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco

Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco

Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Junzhou sun-cured tobacco is a specialty of Danjiangkou, Shiyan City, Hubei Province.

　　Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco is a type of local light-colored sun-yellow tobacco. It is processed using traditional curing methods including stringing tobacco leaves on ropes and hanging them on drying racks to wither and yellow, sun-drying on the ground to fix the color, sunning by day and stacking at night to enhance moisture, outdoor pile fermentation, grading and bundling followed by secondary fermentation. The tobacco leaves are bright and pure in color, mild in flavor, rich in aroma, full of oil, elastic, highly combustible, and have earned the fine praise of “Junzhou tobacco that never disappoints” (Danjiangkou Annals, page 118). Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco is one of China’s famous sun-cured tobaccos, classified as aromatic-type tobacco leaves, and is an indispensable high-quality seasoning for blended cigarettes. It is produced in Danjiangkou City (formerly known as Junzhou). According to the Danjiangkou Annals, around the third year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty (1630), it was introduced from the Americas and successfully cultivated, gaining the name “Famous Junzhou Tobacco.” During the Qing Dynasty, it was offered as a “tribute” to the emperor. In the Republican era, it won a silver award at the Panama International Exposition, thus gaining fame worldwide. It has over 380 years of production history. Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco has a unique aroma, similar to flue-cured tobacco, and can be widely used in various product formulations such as flue-cured, blended, and cigar types. It plays a positive role in enhancing tobacco aroma richness, increasing aroma concentration, and “reducing harm and tar.” In 1983, it was designated as a national base for famous sun-cured tobacco production, and in 1984, “Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco” was included in the National Directory of Famous Sun-Cured Tobaccos. Its protected geographical area spans between 110°08′ to 111°34′ east longitude and 32°14′ to 32°58′ north latitude. The production area is located within four towns under the jurisdiction of Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province: Junxian Town, Xijiadian Town, Haoping Town, and Shigu Town, covering a total of 46 administrative villages. The total planting area is 35,000 mu. The Danjiangkou Municipal Party Committee and Government attach great importance to building the Junzhou sun-cured tobacco brand. A brand development leading group has been established to promote the healthy and sustainable development of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco and enhance its visibility and reputation.

　　The history of Junzhou sun-cured tobacco in Danjiangkou City dates back over 380 years, having been introduced from the Americas around the third year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty (1630) and planted in ancient Junzhou. The main varieties of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco include “Mao Ba Yan,” “Lu Bai Shui,” “Kui Shan Ba (also called Guang Ba Yan),” “Liu Ye Jian,” “Ai Jiao Huang,” “Bie Chu Tou,” “Jin Si Kao,” “Xiang Lou,” and “Lan Hua Yan.” In 1980, Danjiangkou City was designated as a famous sun-cured tobacco production base by the provincial government, in 1983 as a national base, and in 1984, “Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco” was included in the National Directory of Famous Sun-Cured Tobaccos. In 2013, the city planted a total of 6,714 mu of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco, purchased 14,898.87 dan of tobacco leaves, and generated 2.8532 million yuan in sun-cured tobacco tax revenue.

　　In recent years, the Danjiangkou Municipal Party Committee and Government have placed great emphasis on the development and growth of local specialty agricultural products. They have been committed to branding Danjiangkou specialties such as Wudang honey tangerines, Junzhou sun-cured tobacco, and Danjiangkou sharp-snout bream. A leading group for agricultural product branding has been established. Through the development strategy of strengthening the city with brands, they have clarified the direction for developing characteristic brands and enhanced Danjiangkou’s visibility and reputation.

　　Legend has it that near the Tujiao (Earthen Bridge) in the old Junzhou city of Danjiang, there is a place called Qili Tou (Seven Li Head), where there is a plot of land known as Bamu Di (Eight Mu Land). Since the third year of the Chongzhen era in the Ming Dynasty, this land has been planted with Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco every year. Right in the center of this plot, three special tobacco plants grow each year. These three plants are distinct from all others because during their maturation period, their leaves become so oily they seem to drip. Any fresh leaf picked from these plants could be rolled and lit with fire, producing a smoke with an incredibly rich aroma. These three unique tobacco plants were offered as tribute to the emperor. This is likely the origin of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco covers four towns under the jurisdiction of Danjiangkou City, Hubei Province: Junxian Town, Xijiadian Town, Haoping Town, and Shigu Town, totaling 46 administrative villages. Its geographic location is between 110°08′ and 111°34′ east longitude and 32°14′ and 32°58′ north latitude. The planting area of Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco is 733 hectares, with an annual output of 1,000 tons and a production value of 0.18 billion yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance and Sensory Features: Raw Tobacco Appearance: The stem-leaf angle is small, with 28–34 leaves per plant. The leaves are relatively narrow and thick, with fine veins and a broad elliptical shape. The leaf petioles are hairy but not droopy. The leaves easily turn yellow and lose their green color, with low moisture content. The color is deep yellow, with full chroma, abundant oil, fine tissue, moderate thickness, good maturity, strong filling capacity, good elasticity, and rich aroma. Finished Tobacco Leaves: Rich in aroma, the leaves crumble into bran-like pieces when rubbed by hand, have good combustibility, and leave white ash after burning. The smoking taste is full-bodied, with strong impact and low irritation. The sugar content is moderate, and the chemical components are well-balanced. The smoke is soft and delicate, with a comfortable and clean aftertaste. The strength-to-aroma ratio is harmonious, compatibility is good, and industrial usability is strong. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The tobacco leaves are safe, with no residual toxins or pesticide residues. The “high sugar, appropriate nicotine, rich potassium, and protein” content in the leaves form the important chemical basis for Junzhou Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco. 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: The production environment must comply with NY/T852 Technical Conditions for Tobacco Growing Areas. Pesticide use must follow the Recommendations for Tobacco Pesticide Use (issued by China Tobacco Leaf Corporation). Quality requirements must adhere to the DB42/T225—2002 Junxian Famous Sun-Cured Tobacco standard.