Zhongshan Gonggan Oranges

Zhongshan Gonggan Oranges

　　Zhongshan Gonggan oranges are widely loved for their sweet, refreshing, juicy, and tender qualities that leave little to no aftertaste, even when eaten in abundance. Compared to oranges, they feature thin peels and easily separable flesh, which makes them more convenient to enjoy and less filling. Compared to mandarins, they are sweet, juicy, refreshing, and tender, with lower overall acidity and an optimal acid-to-solids ratio, delivering an exceptional taste. In December 2009, they were featured as a high-quality agricultural product on CCTV-7, and in December 2012, the first Guangxi · Zhongshan Gonggan Orange Cultural Festival was successfully held in Zhongshan County.

　　The cultivation of Zhongshan Gonggan oranges has a long history, dating back over a hundred years. It is said that more than a century ago, a local fruit farmer from Zhongshan visited relatives in Deqing, Guangdong, where he tried the Deqing Gonggan orange at a banquet. Impressed by its sweet taste and pleasant texture, he introduced the variety to Zhongshan. Thanks to the county’s unique natural climate conditions—situated in the transitional zone between tropical monsoon and subtropical monsoon climates—the Zhongshan Gonggan orange developed its distinctive flavor: sweet yet not cloying, juicy, and tender. This has made it especially popular among citrus fruit enthusiasts. Since the 1980s, the cultivation of Zhongshan Gonggan oranges has gradually expanded. Particularly after the mid-1990s, production grew rapidly. Currently, the planted area of Gonggan oranges in Zhongshan County exceeds 50,000 mu, making it the largest Gonggan-producing region in Guangxi. Annual output surpasses 100,000 tons, with the fruit ripening and coming to market between November and December each year. The produce sells well both domestically and internationally.

　　Source: Guangxi Agricultural Specialties Collection