Nandan Yellow Wax Plum

Nandan Yellow Wax Plum

The Nandan Yellow Wax Plum is a product certified with a geographical indication for agricultural produce.

　　The Nandan Yellow Wax Plum originates from Luofu Township in Nandan County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where it has been cultivated for one to two hundred years, making it one of the most famous traditional local specialties of Nandan. Nandan is located in the northwest of Guangxi, situated in the transitional zone between the temperate deciduous fruit tree distribution belt of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the subtropical mixed deciduous and evergreen fruit tree distribution belt of Guangxi's hilly areas. With a complex and unique geographical environment, this area nurtures a distinctive local treasure—the Nandan Yellow Wax Plum. Its fruit is elegant in shape, brightly colored, and visually translucent and delicate. The flesh is sweet and sour with a pleasant taste, crisp in texture, and offers a uniquely delightful flavor. As early as the early 1980s, it gained fame both within and beyond Guangxi, and in the early 1990s, it was included in domestic fruit tree monographs as an outstanding local plum variety. It is a typical representative of Nandan’s specialty fruits and has been awarded titles such as “High-Quality Agricultural Product” and “Famous Product” in Hechi City, Guangxi. In July 2001, Nandan County was designated as the “China Yellow Wax Plum Base” by the Organizing Committee for the Promotion and Publicity Campaign of China’s Specialty Hometowns.

　　The Yellow Wax Plum is produced in the Luofu and Xiao Chang areas of Nandan County, Guangxi, and is a unique plum variety of the county with a cultivation history spanning a thousand years. Historical records indicate that the Yellow Wax Plum was offered as tribute during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Due to the influence of its unique geographical environment, the Nandan Yellow Wax Plum has developed a distinct flavor and quality.

　　From 1983 to 1993, continuous investigations and evaluations by relevant departments in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region concluded that the plum is “early-bearing, high-yielding, stable, with a long peak production period, excellent quality, beautiful color, delicious taste, and crisp flesh. It is a high-quality variety with promotional value in China at present.”

　　The Yellow Wax Plum is large and uniformly sized, with bright coloration. The fruit typically has a diameter of 4–5 cm and an average weight of 53.2 grams, reaching up to 62.2 grams at maximum. The base color of the fruit’s surface is golden yellow, turning to a fresh reddish blush upon ripening. It appears shiny and golden, accented by red tinges that resemble the blushing cheeks of a shy maiden—utterly charming.

　　The fruit’s surface is also covered with a thin layer of wax powder, which provides tight protection for the fruit. The skin is extremely thin and easy to peel. The flesh is tender, with minimal fiber, light orange-yellow in color, thick (typically around 1.39 cm), sweet and sour with a balanced taste and abundant juice, along with a rich aroma. According to tests conducted by the fruit department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the soluble solids content is 10–12%, total sugar content is 8.2%, reducing sugar is 7.45%, sucrose is 1.52%, titratable acidity is 1.24%, vitamin C is 5.71 mg per 100 g, moisture content is 86.5%, pH value is 3–4. The fruit can be stored for 6–8 days at room temperature, and it matures and comes to market between June and August each year.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic indication area for the Nandan Yellow Wax Plum includes 11 townships within the administrative region of Nandan County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: Chengguan, Luofu, W’ai, Dachang, Baxu, Lihu, Mangchang, Chehe, Liuzhai, Yueli, and Zhongbao, along with their respective administrative villages. The protected area lies between 107°1′–107°55′ east longitude and 24°42′–25°37′ north latitude, covering a total region of 3,916 square kilometers. The protected production area spans 1,000 hectares, with an annual yield of 30,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The Nandan Yellow Wax Plum is nearly spherical to slightly flattened in shape, with a flat to slightly concave fruit apex and a deep, wide stem cavity. The suture line is distinct and slightly asymmetrical on both sides. The fruit skin is glossy, wax-yellow with red speckles. It has a thick, grayish-white powdery coating. The average single fruit weighs 53 grams. The flesh is yellow, crisp, delicate, juicy, and sweet. The seed is small and adheres to the flesh. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The Nandan Yellow Wax Plum has a soluble solids content of ≥11%, total sugar (calculated as glucose) content of ≥7%, total acid (calculated as citric acid) content of ≤1.3g/100g, and an edible rate of >95g/100g. 3. Safety Requirements: The Nandan Yellow Wax Plum is produced under pollution-free and standardized conditions. The product meets the standards outlined in Part 4: Fruits, of the “NY/T2798.4–2015 Technical Specifications for Quality and Safety Control in the Production of Pollution-Free Agricultural Products.”