Yaoshan Snow Pears

Yaoshan Snow Pears

Yaoshan Snow Pears are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　In Lansha Village, Dalupu Town, Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, there lies a 200-hectare standardized orchard of extra-early ripening pears, lush and heavy with fruit — this is the Jianghua specialty: Yaoshan Snow Pears. In recent years, Jianghua has focused on developing distinctive small fruits, with the extra-early "Yaoshan Snow Pear" as the leading product, establishing large-scale planting bases totaling 3,840 hectares. The Yaoshan Snow Pear has officially been certified by the China Green Food Development Center. Jianghua County is located at the heart of the Nanling Mountains, at the source of the Xiao River, boasting unique environmental resources. The area enjoys an average annual temperature of 18.7°C, relative humidity of 83%, sunshine duration of 1,366 to 1,710 hours, a frost-free period exceeding 300 days, and annual precipitation ranging from 1,300 to 1,940 millimeters. The soil is rich in organic matter, deep in layers, and abundant in trace elements such as selenium, with heavy metal content within safe limits. As a type of distinctive small fruit, the Yaoshan Snow Pear averages 250 grams per fruit, with a well-shaped, clean appearance free from rust spots (for bagged fruits), tender and crisp flesh that is easy to separate, and a sweet, fragrant taste. The yield reaches 2,000 kilograms per 667 square meters, and the pears mature early — between mid-to-late June and early July — avoiding competition with other fruits in the market season, offering broad sales potential both domestically and internationally. The value is high: standard bagged pears are sold directly to major supermarkets at a wholesale price of 7.6 yuan per kilogram. Jianghua Liuxiangguo Fruit Industry Co., Ltd. has developed 1,000 hectares of "Yaoshan Snow Pears" using an industrial model of "company + association + base + farmers," and registered the trademark "Yaofeng – Yaoshan Snow Pear." The company also plans to establish controlled-atmosphere storage and juice processing bases, build an ecological and standardized system for "Yaoshan Snow Pears," and enhance the level of industrialized operations.

　　In Lansha Village, Dalupu Town, Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, there lies a 200-hectare standardized orchard of extra-early ripening pears, lush and heavy with fruit — this is the Jianghua specialty: Yaoshan Snow Pears. In recent years, Jianghua has focused on developing distinctive small fruits, with the extra-early "Yaoshan Snow Pear" as the leading product, establishing large-scale planting bases totaling 3,840 hectares. The Yaoshan Snow Pear has officially been certified by the China Green Food Development Center. Jianghua County is located at the heart of the Nanling Mountains, at the source of the Xiao River, boasting unique environmental resources. The area enjoys an average annual temperature of 18.7°C, relative humidity of 83%, sunshine duration of 1,366 to 1,710 hours, a frost-free period exceeding 300 days, and annual precipitation ranging from 1,300 to 1,940 millimeters. The soil is rich in organic matter, deep in layers, and abundant in trace elements such as selenium, with heavy metal content within safe limits. As a type of distinctive small fruit, the Yaoshan Snow Pear averages 250 grams per fruit, with a well-shaped, clean appearance free from rust spots (for bagged fruits), tender and crisp flesh that is easy to separate, and a sweet, fragrant taste. The yield reaches 2,000 kilograms per 667 square meters, and the pears mature early — between mid-to-late June and early July — avoiding competition with other fruits in the market season, offering broad sales potential both domestically and internationally. The value is high: standard bagged pears are sold directly to major supermarkets at a wholesale price of 7.6 yuan per kilogram. Jianghua Liuxiangguo Fruit Industry Co., Ltd. has developed 1,000 hectares of "Yaoshan Snow Pears" using an industrial model of "company + association + base + farmers," and registered the trademark "Yaofeng – Yaoshan Snow Pear." The company also plans to establish controlled-atmosphere storage and juice processing bases, build an ecological and standardized system for "Yaoshan Snow Pears," and enhance the level of industrialized operations.

　　The "Yaoshan Snow Pear" thrives in the unique environment of Jianghua's Dayao Mountains. With small cores, thin skins, deliciously sweet and crisp flesh without any residue, and rich in the trace element selenium, these pears can moisten the lungs, cool the heart, eliminate phlegm, and reduce internal heat — making them highly popular. In 2008, the product successfully entered major supermarkets such as Walmart, Carrefour, Metro, and Aeon, selling briskly at a price of 20 yuan per kilogram.

　　Under the guidance and support of provincial, municipal, and county agricultural departments, since November 2010, Jianghua Liuyueguo Fruit Industry Co., Ltd. began applying for the "National Geographical Indication Agricultural Product" status for the "Yaoshan Snow Pear." The initial review was passed in early November 2011, and the product has now successfully passed the re-evaluation. Previously, the "Yaoshan Snow Pear" had already earned titles such as China’s “Green Food” and “Organic Food,” as well as being recognized as a Hunan Provincial Famous Trademark. It is currently applying for National Well-Known Trademark status. The "Yaoshan Snow Pear" has become a "lucky pear" that helps the Yao people of Jianghua achieve prosperity and shake off poverty.

　　Yaoshan Snow Pears

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic indication area for the Yaoshan Snow Pear includes five townships in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County: Tuojiang Town, Dalupu Town, Qiaotoupu Town, Baimangying Town, and Taoxu Town. To the east, it borders Lian County in Guangdong Province; to the south, it adjoins Gongcheng Yao Autonomous County in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; to the west, it neighbors Guanyang County in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region; to the northwest, it is adjacent to Jiangyong County; and to the north, it is next to Dao County. The geographic coordinates are between 24°38′35″N to 25°19′43″N and 111°25′25″E to 112°12′35″E. The altitude ranges from 275 to 400 meters. The protected area covers 1,500 hectares, with an annual total production of 15,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The Yaoshan Snow Pear has a well-shaped fruit with inherent characteristics of the variety. The fruit is large, with a transverse diameter of ≥60 mm and a single fruit weight of 250–500 grams. When ripe, it appears yellow-green or light green, with a bright luster and a sweet fragrance. It meets the requirements of the NY/T 844 standard for Green Food Temperate Fruits. 　　2. Internal Quality Indicators: The Yaoshan Snow Pear is of high quality and nutritional value. The flesh is white, fine-textured, crisp and tender without residue, fragrant and refreshing, with a small core, thin skin, abundant juice, good flavor, small fruit center, and high edible rate. It is rich in vitamins and sugars. Soluble solids (%) ≥11%, total acidity (%) ≤0.10. 　　3. Safety Requirements: The Yaoshan Snow Pear complies with the safety standards of the NY/T 844 standard for Green Food Temperate Fruits.