Zigui Taoye Orange

Zigui Taoye Orange

Zigui Taoye Orange is a protected geographical indication product.

Zigui Taoye Orange is an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Taoye Orange is one of China’s three major local high-quality citrus varieties, originating from Zigui, Hubei Province. It has won multiple gold awards at the National Agricultural Expo.

　　Known as one of the “Three Treasures of Valley Oranges,” Taoye Orange gets its name from its leaves that resemble peach leaves. This variety features well-shaped fruits, smooth skin, bright orange-red color, a ringed navel, orange-yellow flesh, crisp and juicy texture, and a rich aroma. It has won top honors at both national and regional citrus evaluation competitions.

　　In Longmapi Village, Quyuan Town, Zigui, the Zigui County Qingtan Taoye Orange Production and Sales Cooperative has brought this premium local Taoye Orange to the national market. It has become a sought-after high-end fruit among modern urban dwellers and a “treasure” for local farmers to achieve prosperity.

　　The Zigui County Qingtan Taoye Orange Production and Sales Cooperative was registered in July 2007. It owns a 500-acre collective production base, has 253 member households, and has helped over 680 farming households expand the town’s Taoye Orange cultivation area to 3,000 acres. The cooperative has been honored with titles such as “Outstanding Rural Professional Cooperative of Zigui County in 2008,” “Model Farmers’ Professional Cooperative of Zigui County in 2009,” and “Top Ten Farmers’ Professional Cooperatives in Yichang City.”

　　Geographical Scope

　　Zigui Taoye Orange is predominantly produced in 11 towns and townships in Zigui County, Hubei Province, including Maoping Town, Guizhou Town, Quyuan Town, Shuitianba, Xietai Township, Shazhenxi Town, Lianghekou Town, Meijiahe Township, Guojiaba Town, Zhouping Township, and Yanglinqiao Town. The total planting area spans 1,000 hectares. Zigui is geographically located between 110°18′–111°00′ east longitude and 30°38′–31°11′ north latitude. It lies in the western part of Hubei Province, on both sides of the Yangtze River’s Xiling Gorge. To the east it connects with Yichang County, to the north with Xingshan County, to the west with Badong County, and to the south with Changyang Tujia Autonomous County. The total production area is 1,000 hectares, with an annual output of 15,000 tons.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The soil is mostly sandy loam, purple shale soil, or clayey rock soil, with moderate fertility. Organic matter content ranges from 0.5% to 2.1%, and pH values are between 5.5 and 5.6. The base area is free from industrial “three wastes” pollution. Zigui County lies at the convergence of the eastern Sichuan fold zone and the southwestern Badong Mountain depression. The eastern section is the Huangling anticline, while the western section is the Zigui syncline, forming part of the mountainous terrain of the Yangtze River Three Gorges. The Yangtze River divides the county into southern and northern parts from west to east. Along the river valley, the elevation gradually increases from north to south. The north bank is higher in the north and lower in the south, while the south bank is higher in the south and lower in the north, forming a basin-like shape. The local mountain ranges are extensions of the Wushan Mountains. The highest point is Yuntaihuang at 2,056 meters above sea level, and the lowest is the Maoping River estuary at 40 meters. The average elevation of the county is about 800 meters.

　　(2) Hydrology: The water system is well-developed. The Yangtze River flows 64 kilometers through the county, and a dense network of streams exists, with 135 small streams converging into eight major water systems: Qinggan River, Tongzhuang River, Jiunan River, Maoping River, Longmapi River, Xiangxi River, Zhaxi River, and Xietai River, which then flow into the Yangtze River. These eight systems cover a drainage area of 1,952.5 square kilometers, with a total stream length of 247.8 kilometers within the county. The river network density (excluding the Yangtze River and the 135 small streams) is 0.1 kilometer per square kilometer. The measured multi-year average runoff is 1.837 billion cubic meters. The water sources consist of surface runoff and groundwater, both of good quality and free from pollution, meeting the standards of NY5016.

　　(3) Climate: The area has a northern subtropical continental monsoon climate. The four seasons are distinct, with abundant rainfall, ample sunshine, and mild temperatures. However, due to variations in terrain and elevation, there are clear vertical climate differences. The average first frost date in the county is December 18, and the last frost date is February 13 of the following year. The first snowfall usually occurs on December 20, and the last on March 2, with an average of 3.9 snowy days per year. The average annual wind speed is 1.2 meters per second, predominantly from the south, followed by the north. The average annual relative humidity is 71%. The mean annual temperature is 18°C, with January averaging 6.4°C and July 28.9°C. The annual temperature range is 22.5°C. The average annual sunshine duration is 1,619.6 hours, more in summer and less in winter, with moderate levels in spring and autumn. The annual sunshine exceeds 1,300 hours, the accumulated temperature above 10°C surpasses 5,500°C, and the frost-free period lasts over 300 days. The air relative humidity is below 80%, with annual precipitation ranging between 1,000 and 1,500 millimeters.

　　(4) Humanistic History: Zigui is the birthplace of Chu culture, the hometown of the great patriotic poet Qu Yuan and Wang Zhaojun—one of China’s Four Great Ancient Beauties—and is also famous as a land of citrus. The region has a long history of citrus cultivation. Over 2,000 years ago, the great poet Qu Yuan composed his timeless “Ode to the Orange” in his hometown.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Site Selection and Special Provisions: Taoye Orange cultivation has stricter requirements for environmental factors such as climate and soil compared to other crops. The ideal average annual temperature is 18–22°C, with an absolute minimum temperature of ≥-2°C, a January average temperature of ≥7°C, and an accumulated temperature above 10°C of 5,500–6,000°C. The soil should be of good texture, with organic matter content above 1.5%, deep soil layers, a living soil layer of over 60 cm, and groundwater level below 1 meter. Other conditions follow the NY5016-2001 standard.

　　(2) Variety Selection and Specific Requirements: The selection of Taoye Orange varieties should follow market demand. The principle of choosing suitable tree varieties applies, selecting superior cultivars with large fruit, bright color, thin peel, seedless or low-seeded, and excellent quality in the most suitable regions. Currently, key promoted varieties include Taoye Orange No. 139, No. 18, and No. 8. Trifoliate orange is recommended as the rootstock for Taoye Orange.

　　(3) Production Process Management: The production process of Zigui Taoye Orange must comply with the “Pollution-Free Citrus Production Technical Regulations” (NY5015), “Pollution-Free Citrus Fruits” (NY5014), and “Zigui Taoye Orange” (DB42/431-2007). Particular attention should be paid to the following aspects: a) Soil management: Implement biological mulching and grass planting on terraces to enhance soil organic matter and reduce soil erosion. b) Fertilization: Use balanced fertilization, primarily with biological organic and farmyard manure, applying fertilizer 2–3 times per year. c) Pruning.

　　Pruning is conducted after harvest and before spring budding, mainly focusing on major branch pruning. Heavier pruning is applied to high-yield years, lighter to low-yield years, with gradual renewal of fruiting branches. Summer pruning is done during the growing season, mainly involving bud rubbing and pinching. d) Flower and fruit protection: Measures include controlling shoots, secondary pruning during flowering, and spraying fruit-preserving agents compliant with NY/T5015. e) Pest and disease control: Integrated management using agricultural, chemical, physical, and biological methods. Pesticide use must comply with NY/T5015, with no more than three pesticide applications per year.

　　(4) Harvesting and Post-Harvest Processing: Harvesting is done appropriately in mid to late November. Pesticide spraying and chemical fertilization must stop 30 days before harvest, and irrigation should cease 15 days prior. Freshly harvested oranges must undergo preservation treatment within 24 hours, followed by pre-storage for 3 days and then commercial processing. Processed fruits must meet NY/T5014 standards.

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: Maintain a farming operation record manual to document all farming activities, as well as fertilizers and pesticides used.

　　Product Quality Characteristics and Safety Standards

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Spring shoots have long, narrow leaves resembling peach leaves, hence the name “Taoye Orange.” The fruit is round, with an average weight of around 150g, smooth orange-red skin, and a ringed navel.

　　(2) Internal Quality Indicators: The peel is thin, the flesh tender and juicy, with a rich flavor and strong aroma. Sugar content is generally around 13%, and the fruit is highly resistant to storage and transport. Some even develop better flavors after storage.

　　(5) Production record requirements: A manual for agricultural operation records, documenting all farming activities as well as the fertilizers and pesticides used.

　　Typical quality characteristics of the product and product quality and safety regulations

　　(1) External sensory characteristics: The spring shoots have long, narrow leaves resembling peach leaves, hence the name "Peach Leaf Orange." The fruit is round, with an average weight of around 150g per piece. The rind is smooth and orange-red, and there is an indentation ring around the blossom end.

　　(2) Internal quality indicators: The peel is thin, the flesh is tender and easy to separate, the flavor is rich, and it is highly aromatic. The sugar content is generally around 13%. It is extremely resistant to storage and transportation, and in some cases, the flavor improves after storage.

　　(3) Safety requirements: The pesticide residue content must not exceed the national food safety standards. Sensory inspection shall be conducted in accordance with NY5014. Weight, quantity, and specification inspections shall follow GB/T8210. Hygiene and safety inspections shall be carried out as per NY5014. Tests for soluble solids, titratable acid content, and edible rate shall be performed according to GB/T8210. The calculation of the solid-to-acid ratio shall be in line with NY5014.

　　Packaging and labeling regulations

　　(1) Specifications: Fruits are categorized into three size specifications based on their transverse diameter: 60, 65, and 70. Fruits with a transverse diameter of 60≤d＜65 (millimeters) are classified as Size 60; those with 65≤d＜70 (millimeters) as Size 65; and those with d≥70 (millimeters) as Size 70.

　　(2) Grading: Fruits are divided into three quality grades — Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. Fruits with a transverse diameter less than 60 millimeters are considered off-grade. No more than 10% of fruits may be of mixed grades, and no fruits of non-consecutive grades are allowed. Upon arrival at the destination, up to 7% defective fruits are permitted, but no more than 3% may be rotten. Grade 1 fruit standards: Sensory criteria include uniform shape and well-formed appearance; naturally deep coloring covering over 90% of the surface; smooth skin with an indented ring at the top; free from cracks, dents, or rot; blemishes covering no more than 2% of the total rind area; sweet, rich flavor, tender and seedless texture, and aromatic. Internal quality indicators: soluble solids ≥12.5%, solid-to-acid ratio ≥20, edible rate ≥65%; hygiene indicators comply with NY5014. Grade 2 fruit standards: Uniform shape and well-formed appearance; natural coloring covering over 85% of the surface; relatively smooth skin with an indented ring at the top; free from cracks, dents, or rot; blemishes covering no more than 3% of the total rind area; sweet and rich flavor, tender and seedless texture, with aroma. Internal quality indicators: soluble solids ≥12.5%, solid-to-acid ratio ≥20, edible rate ≥65%; hygiene indicators comply with NY5014. Grade 3 fruit standards: Uniform shape and fairly well-formed appearance; natural coloring covering over 80% of the surface; relatively smooth skin with an indented ring at the top; free from cracks, dents, or rot; blemishes covering no more than 5% of the total rind area; sweet flavor, tender texture, and aromatic. Internal quality indicators: soluble solids ≥12.5%, solid-to-acid ratio ≥20, edible rate ≥65%; hygiene indicators comply with NY5014.

　　(3) Labeling: The outer packaging must indicate the product name (Zigui Peach Leaf Orange), origin, fruit specifications, grade, net weight, standard code, and warnings such as “Handle with Care,” “Protect from Sun,” and “Protect from Rain.”

　　(4) Packaging: Shall comply with GB/T13607.

　　(5) Transportation: The transport containers must be clean, hygienic, and odor-free. Loading, shipping, and unloading should be done quickly. Exposure to direct sunlight and rain is strictly prohibited. Fruits must be handled gently during loading and unloading; throwing or dropping is not allowed. Contact with toxic or harmful substances is strictly forbidden.

　　(6) Storage: Shall be conducted in accordance with NY5014.