Si Hui Sugar Orange

Si Hui Sugar Orange

Si Hui Sugar Orange is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The Sugar Orange originally comes from Shatang Village in Huangtian Town, Si Hui City, hence the name "Shatang Orange."

　　Production Area

　　The production area covers thirteen towns and streets within the administrative region of Si Hui City, including Longpu Town, Doudou Town, Weizheng Town, Luoyuan Town, Jingkou Town, Dasha Town, Dongcheng Subdistrict, Shigou Town, Huangtian Town, Zhen Shan Subdistrict, Jianggu Town, Xiamao Town, and Chengzhong Subdistrict

　　Distinctive Qualities

　　The Sugar Orange is flat-round in shape, with small bumps on the top, a slightly indented stem end, and an orange-yellow hue. Its peel is thin and easy to remove. The fruit shape index is 0.78, with individual fruits weighing between 62–86 grams and an edible rate of 71%. It contains 11% soluble solids, with 10.55 grams of total sugar and 0.35 grams of fruit acid per 100 milliliters. The flesh is crisp, juicy, easy to separate, and has a sweet and refreshing taste that leaves a pleasant aftertaste. This product is renowned both domestically and internationally. During the 1960s and 1970s, it was widely sold in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong-Macao regions.

　　Cultural Background

　　The Si Hui Sugar Orange, originally called October Orange (hereinafter referred to as: Sugar Orange), originates from Si Hui and is one of the main cultivated varieties of Si Hui Sugar Orange. It earned its name due to its sugar-like sweetness. The Sugar Orange is a traditional specialty of Si Hui, as well as a premium variety among citrus fruits, and was praised by the Yangcheng Evening News as “a unique standout.”

　　The Si Hui Sugar Orange enjoys relatively high popularity. Among Guangdong Sugar Oranges, those from Si Hui are considered the most authentic, especially those produced in Huangtian Town, which are known for their exceptional freshness, extreme sweetness, seedlessness, and delicate texture — truly a top-tier delicacy.

　　Si Hui City is one of the oldest citrus-producing regions in Guangdong Province, with a cultivation history of over 400 years. Si Hui citrus has long been famous for its superior quality and has maintained its reputation through the ages. Qu Dajun, a Qing Dynasty scholar, wrote in his book Guangdong New Language: “Citrus fruits… those produced in Si Hui are smooth-skinned, known as fish-jelly oranges… among oranges, tangerines, and citrons, Si Hui is the most renowned.” According to the 1896 (22nd year of the Guangxu reign) Si Hui County Annals: “The name Si Hui Citrus has existed the longest. Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica states that those produced in Si Hui are smooth-skinned, known as fish-jelly oranges… according to elders, they were once tribute items until they were exempted.”

　　In 2001, Si Hui City in Guangdong Province was honored by the China Green Food Development Center as the “Hometown of Green Food Citrus in China.” This recognition followed shortly after Si Hui Sugar Orange was officially approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine for inclusion in the “National Protected Origin Product” list.

　　Located in the central-western part of Guangdong Province and within the Pearl River Delta region, Si Hui City is a well-known hometown of overseas Chinese in Guangdong. The city covers a total area of 1,257.6 square kilometers, including 680 square kilometers of mountainous land. The Tropic of Cancer runs across the city, with an average annual temperature of 21.2°C, 360 frost-free days per year, annual rainfall of 1,700–1,800 millimeters, an average annual relative humidity of 83%, and soils primarily consisting of mountainous yellow soil and lateritic red soil. These climatic and soil conditions are highly suitable for citrus cultivation.

　　Si Hui citrus enjoys a prominent brand advantage and is hailed as “a unique standout.” Its flesh is crisp, juicy, easy to separate, and sweetly refreshing, leaving a lingering pleasant aftertaste. Tests show it contains 14.3% soluble solids, with 10.55 grams of total sugar, 0.35 grams of fruit acid, 3.87 grams of reducing sugar, 6.68 grams of sucrose, and 40 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 milliliters — making it a delicious treat suitable for all ages. In 2001, Si Hui City was awarded the title “Hometown of Chinese Citrus” by the State Forestry Administration, and Si Hui Sugar Orange was recognized as a “Famous Chinese Fruit.” In 2003, both the Sugar Orange and Gonggan varieties received “Protected Designation of Origin” certification from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

　　The Si Hui Sugar Orange features a flat-round shape and an orange-yellow color. It is grown in regions such as Guangdong Province. Originally called October Orange, it originates from Si Hui and is one of the main cultivated varieties of Si Hui Sugar Orange. It earned its name due to its sugar-like sweetness. The Sugar Orange is a traditional specialty of Si Hui, as well as a premium variety among citrus fruits, and was praised by the Yangcheng Evening News as “a unique standout.” The Sugar Orange is flat-round in shape, with small bumps on the top, a slightly indented stem end, and an orange-yellow hue. Its peel is thin and easy to remove. The fruit shape index is 0.78, with individual fruits weighing between 62–86 grams and an edible rate of 71%. It contains 11% soluble solids, with 10.55 grams of total sugar and 0.35 grams of fruit acid. The flesh is crisp, juicy, easy to separate, and has a sweet and refreshing taste that leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

　　The cultivation of Si Hui Sugar Orange has a long history, flourishing as early as the Ming Dynasty and being listed as a tribute to the imperial court until the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. The fruit gained fame both at home and abroad for its attractive appearance, crisp and juicy flesh, rich juice, easy separation, and sweet taste, becoming a leading brand among oranges. In 2001, our city was awarded the title “Hometown of Chinese Citrus” by the State Forestry Administration. In 2006, the Huagong-brand Sugar Orange from Si Hui obtained national A-grade green food certification; in the same year, the “Huagong” trademark of Huagong Agricultural Science and Technology Group Co., Ltd. in Si Hui was recognized as a Guangdong Famous Trademark; also in 2006, the Huagong-brand Sugar Orange was designated a “Guangdong Famous Product.”

　　The finest among Si Hui Sugar Oranges is undoubtedly the “Authentic Si Hui Huangtian Sugar Orange.” These citrus fruits not only come from premium varieties with rich juice, tender and sweet flavor, strong fragrance, and distinctive tastes across different cultivars, but they are also rich in essential nutrients such as sugar, dietary fiber, and various vitamins needed in daily life, making them the crown jewel of Si Hui citrus. Every part of Si Hui citrus is valuable: besides the edible flesh, it can also be preserved as fruit leather or dried fruit; the peel, once dried into dried tangerine peel (chenpi), can be used medicinally or as a cooking ingredient.