Longmen New Year Tangerines

Longmen New Year Tangerines

Longmen New Year Tangerines are a protected geographical indication product.

　　According to records, the cultivation of New Year tangerines in Longmen County has a history of nearly a thousand years. A 1989 survey found that there were over 200 tangerine trees in the county that were more than a hundred years old. The tangerines ripen right around the Spring Festival and New Year period, hence the name “New Year Tangerines.” They are a popular gift during holidays, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. As early as the 1980s, they had already been exported to Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia, gaining fame both domestically and internationally. New Year Tangerines belong to the Rutaceae family, Citrus genus. They feature bright orange-red skin that is eye-catching, smooth rinds, tender and juicy flesh, and a uniquely sweet and tangy flavor. Each fruit weighs about 60 grams, with soluble solids content of 12–14%, acid content of 0.7–0.9%, and rich in vitamin C, citric acid, and sugars. When eaten fresh, they help clear the heart, moisten the lungs, beautify the skin, and aid digestion. The peel can be made into dried tangerine peel, which has medicinal value.

　　 In 2002, statistics showed that Longmen County had 4,267 hectares of New Year tangerine plantations, with an annual total output of 32,000 tons. Among these, Longhua Town had the largest planting area, followed by Shajing, Mazha, Yonghan, and other towns.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Longmen New Year Tangerines is defined according to the scope proposed in the “Letter on Delimiting the Production Area of Longmen New Year Tangerines” (Longfu Letter [2007] No. 95) issued by Longmen County, Guangdong Province, covering the entire current administrative region of Longmen County.

　　 Longhua Town is a major production base for Longmen New Year Tangerines. The tangerines produced here have been registered under the trademark “Suìsuì Hóng” (meaning “Yearly Red”). The town currently has 38,000 mu (about 2,533 hectares) of New Year tangerine plantations, with a total output of 17,000 tons and an output value of over 40 million yuan. These tangerines are large in size, golden in color, with few seeds, and a well-balanced sweet and sour taste. They are rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals needed by the human body. The fruits ripen just before the Spring Festival, aligning perfectly with the Chinese tradition of seeking good fortune at the start of the new year. As a result, they are exported to places such as Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, and the three northeastern provinces. Last year, they were also exported to Russia. Over the past few years, the market price of these tangerines has remained stable at over 2.4 yuan per kilogram.