Sihui Gonggan (Imperial Mandarin)

Sihui Gonggan

Sihui Gonggan is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Sihui Gonggan, produced in various towns and townships of Sihui City, is especially esteemed when grown in Dasha, Shigou, and Jianggu — three areas renowned for their premium-quality citrus. Since the early Ming Dynasty, Sihui has annually selected the finest mandarins to present as tribute to the emperor, hence the fruit is also known as "Gonggan" (Imperial Mandarin). Sihui mandarins come in multiple varieties such as yellow mandarin, sweet mandarin, banana mandarin, breast mandarin, row mandarin, tea branch mandarin, and big red mandarin, but all are celebrated for their thin peel, abundant juice, thick flesh without residue, sweet and refreshing taste, and rich, mellow flavor. Sihui mandarins are also known for their health benefits, helping relieve coughs and reduce phlegm, aiding digestion, and stimulating appetite. Their dried peels can be used both medicinally and as an ingredient in fish and meat dishes. The esteemed pharmacologist Li Shizhen referred to Sihui mandarins as "fish jelly mandarin" and "the gem among mandarins" in his renowned work, Compendium of Materia Medica. Commonly called Sihui citrus, the fruit is phonetically similar to "jinqi" (gold and luck), symbolizing good fortune. Therefore, during the Lunar New Year, every household stocks up on mandarins to give as gifts, wishing for prosperity and good luck in the coming year.