Mayang Citrus

Mayang Citrus

Mayang Citrus is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The high-quality navel oranges produced here, such as Newhall and Bonanza, are beautifully shaped. In particular, the Newhall variety features an oval shape, excellent coloration, large fruit size — around 300 grams per fruit, with some reaching over 500 grams. They are seedless, have fine-textured flesh, a fragrant and delicious taste, and contain more than 12% soluble solids. These oranges are not only suitable for fresh eating but also store well, and have a high juice extraction rate for processing. In 1996, they were awarded the Excellence Prize in the Provincial High-Quality Fruit Evaluation. Mayang’s premium navel oranges, as well as other varieties such as sugar-sweet oranges, enjoy a high reputation in provinces and cities including Guangdong, Hubei, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guizhou, and are also exported to international markets such as Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and Russia.

　　Geographical Scope

　　　Villages and groups within purple shale soil areas in Mayang County, Hunan Province, specifically in Gaocun Township, Yanmen Town, Lüxikou Township, Longjiapu Township, Gudapo Township, Tanjiazhai Township, Banlishu Township, Shiyangshao Township, Jinhe Town, Jiangkouxu Town, Shujiacun Farm, Changtan Township, Lanli Town, Liping Township, Huangsang Township, Lvjiaping Town, Lancun Township, and Hepingxi Township.

　　Unique Qualities

　　　　When tasted, they have a balanced sweetness and acidity, juicier flesh, thin peel, are seedless, feature bright colors, and offer a fragrant and refreshing taste.

　　Cultural Background

　　　　The cultivation of citrus in Mayang has a very long history. According to the county annals: planting has been practiced since ancient times, with main varieties including Zhuju (vermilion orange), wrinkled-skinned mandarin, and sour orange. It is also noted that "during the Tang Wude era, local Tujia and Yao people, along with garrison soldiers, cultivated the land while guarding the frontier, thus developing the mountainous regions." The literary master Shen Congwen wrote the book *Long River* in 1938, which is set among the people and events of Mayang, all related to oranges. The book begins with the description: "'Dongting is abundant in oranges and pomelos.' The production areas of oranges and pomelos are indeed southwest of Dongting and the various tributaries of the Yuan River, especially the middle reaches of the Chen River (referring to the Mayang River), where they are most numerous and of the best quality." It also states: "Two thousand years ago, Qu Yuan, an exiled minister of the Chu Kingdom, sailing up the Yuan River in a small wooden boat, must have seen these groves of oranges, which inspired him to write the 'Ode to the Orange'." After the liberation, the *Mayang Citrus Resource Survey Report*, compiled by the Citrus Resource Survey Group of the Qianyang Region, noted: "By reasoning from the evolution of ancient varieties such as sour orange, yellow orange (Zhujv), wrinkled-skinned mandarin, and smooth-skinned mandarin, it can be inferred that the planting of these types has a very ancient origin." The record of "wrapping oranges and pomelos" can be found in the *Yu Gong* from the 3rd century BC, where aromatic oranges are referred to as pomelos. The cultivation of sweet oranges has a documented history of over 300 years, and the large orange orchards in Yanjiaping and Xinying have a history of 180 years.