Nandan Long-Horn Chili

Nandan Long-Horn Chili

Nandan Long-Horn Chili is a product with geographical indication.

　　Nandan Goat-Horn Wrinkled Chili is produced in Nandan, Guangxi.

　　The fruit is long, with thin skin, bright color, high oil content, strong spiciness, and intense aroma. Goat-Horn Wrinkled Chili can be used as a seasoning for various dishes. Additionally, it has medicinal properties, helping to warm the middle energizer, dispel cold, stimulate appetite, and aid digestion. It is mainly used to treat conditions such as stagnant abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, chilblains, and scabies. Chili powder is also an important ingredient in the preparation of Ten-Drop Water. In case of a venomous snake bite, an emergency first aid method is to chew 11–12 chili peppers raw, mash them, and apply them to the wound to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and remove toxins.

　　The Long-Horn Chili grown in Nandan is a unique, high-quality chili variety carefully selected and cultivated over time by local farmers. With a long planting history in Nandan, it is renowned for its long horn, thick flesh, sweet taste, and moderate spiciness, hence the special name “Nandan Long-Horn Chili.” It is considered a premium variety within the chili family. Due to the region’s unique geographical, climatic, and soil conditions, the distinctive qualities of Nandan Long-Horn Chili would change if planted elsewhere.

　　Nandan is located on the edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and falls within the subtropical monsoon climate zone. The annual average temperature is 16.9°C, the annual average rainfall is 1,375 mm, and the annual average sunshine duration is 1,257 hours. Chilies are mainly planted on hilly slopes at altitudes between 800–1,000 meters. These areas enjoy mild and cool weather, abundant rainfall, ample sunlight, and a diurnal temperature variation of around 8°C. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 26°C, while nighttime temperatures drop to about 18°C, often requiring farmers to use cotton blankets at night. Thanks to the cool climate, chili cultivation faces almost no pest issues, eliminating the need for pesticides and ensuring pesticide-free produce. Furthermore, all farming uses bran fertilizer, wood ash, and organic manure without any chemical fertilizers, making it a genuine green food. Influenced by the unique geographical environment, Nandan Long-Horn Chili grows to be strikingly red and long, with plump, firm, and beautifully formed pods. Mature Long-Horn Chilies typically measure 18–20 cm in length, with some reaching up to 26 cm. They are bright red in color, moderately spicy, with a sweetness underlying the heat and a fragrant aroma, making them delicious both raw and cooked. They can be used directly as a seasoning, snack, or vegetable. After years of quality evaluation by the autonomous region, Nandan Long-Horn Chili has consistently been rated as a superior local variety. According to analysis by the Guangxi Technical Supervision Bureau’s Food Quality Supervision and Inspection Station, Nandan Long-Horn Chili contains 19 types of amino acids and multiple vitamins. The dried chili has an amino acid content of 11.27%, including 1.48% aspartic acid and 1.58% glutamic acid. Vitamin C content reaches 71 mg/kg, total sugar 13.8%, protein 13.56%, with moderate capsaicin levels—all key indicators surpassing similar products.

　　The exact time when Long-Horn Chili was first introduced to Nandan cannot be confirmed through historical records, but it is said to have a history of over a thousand years. It has become an essential crop and food item for local farmers. Chili is a must-have seasoning in every household kitchen, and many farmers even grow it as a vegetable. Over time, mentioning Nandan inevitably brings Long-Horn Chili to mind. The chili is widely cultivated across Nandan County, and during harvest season, “every household piles chilies in their main hall,” with chili occupying one-third of the local market—a unique rural sight in Nandan. During this period, business owners from Hunan, Hubei, Fujian, Guangdong, and the local area flock to Nandan, sparking a buying frenzy for Long-Horn Chili.

　　Nandan Long-Horn Chili is also exported to countries and regions such as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. It is one of Guangxi’s traditional export products and enjoys a strong reputation. The main chili ingredient in Guilin Chili Sauce—one of the “Three Treasures of Guilin” that won the National Quality Product Award—is Nandan Long-Horn Chili. The chili sauce produced by Nandan County Food Factory has also been awarded the Autonomous Region Quality Product Prize.

　　Experts from home and abroad, as well as leaders from the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, have repeatedly inspected the cultivation of Nandan Long-Horn Chili. The Nandan County Party Committee and government have also made the development of Long-Horn Chili a concrete task in implementing the regional “1234610” work strategy. It is treated as a key brand economy project and a major poverty alleviation initiative. A comprehensive plan and implementation scheme have been formulated, a dedicated agency established, and special funds allocated to support its development. The entire project has had considerable influence both within and outside the region.

　　Since 1995, the county’s annual planting area has exceeded 15,000 mu, with production reaching 6 million kg per year. By 2000, the planting area had reached 20,000 mu, with an estimated yield of 8 million kg.

　　From cultivation to processing and distribution, the Long-Horn Chili industry covers eight townships across the county, involving 160,000 rural residents. It serves as a vital project for poverty alleviation and employment in Nandan’s rural areas. The production of Long-Horn Chili has also driven related industries such as transportation to varying degrees. A virtuous cycle has been formed, encompassing research, production, processing, distribution, and services for Long-Horn Chili. Nandan has achieved road access to every village and settlement. The Guizhou-Guangxi Railway and the 210 National Highway, a major route through Southwest China, run across the entire county, providing convenient transportation. The internet and other communication infrastructure are well-established, ensuring smooth information flow and advanced telecommunications. The area offers a favorable distribution environment.

　　(3) Number of Practitioners

　　A total of 160,000 people in the county are involved in planting, processing, distribution, and services, accounting for 76% of the county’s 210,000 agricultural population.

　　(4) Sales Regions

　　Nandan Long-Horn Chili is primarily sold to Hunan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and major cities within Guangxi such as Guilin, Wuzhou, Nanning, and Liuzhou. It is also exported to Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Since 1995, annual exports have exceeded 5 million kg, reaching 6 million kg in 1999. Nandan County has established chili food processing plants and dehydration, preservation, and storage facilities for Long-Horn Chili, ensuring smooth purchase, sale, and processing. Each township’s supply and marketing cooperative also maintains purchasing and sales relationships with external merchants and has dedicated sales teams. The county and city party committees and governments treat chili sales as a priority, establishing specialized leadership bodies.

　　(5) Profit and Tax

　　In 1999, the county produced 6 million kg of Long-Horn Chili, with a combined production and processing output value of 22 million yuan, direct profit and tax of 12 million yuan, and a special product tax of 2.5 million yuan. In 2000, the expected production was 8 million kg, with projected production and processing output value of 26 million yuan, profit and tax of 15 million yuan, and a special product tax of 3.1 million yuan.

　　(6) Proportion in the Regional National Economy

　　In 1999, the total output value of Long-Horn Chili production in Nandan County was 22 million yuan, accounting for 3.7% of the county’s total agricultural output value of 600 million yuan. As the county and city party committees and governments develop it as a brand economy, the production of Nandan Long-Horn Chili is expected to grow further, driving the development of more industries and significantly increasing its share in the agricultural economy.