Lingyun Niuxin Plum

Lingyun Niuxin Plum

Lingyun Niuxin Plum is a product with geographical indication status.

　　Niuxin Plum is a premium variety among Lingyun plums, named for its heart-like shape. The fruit turns red or pinkish-red when exposed to sunlight, with orange-yellow flesh, high edible portion, sweet taste, and unique flavor. Ripe in late June, it makes an excellent raw snack or ingredient for making preserved plums, candied fruits, and canned goods.

　　Niuxin Plum is grown in Jiayou, resembling a cow’s heart, with clingstone flesh and a honey-like fragrance, surpassing those from other regions, and is widely distributed. In 2015, the planting area of Niuxin Plum in Lingyun County reached 25,000 mu, with 6,000 mu under production, yielding an economic benefit of 20,000 yuan per mu.

　　Ripe Niuxin Plums have red skins, yellow flesh, and a sweet, crisp bite with a tangy-sweet flavor. Initially planted by farmers around their homes, the fruit became highly favored by urban consumers due to its rich nutrients, distinctive taste, and relative scarcity.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Lingyun Niuxin Plum includes seven towns (or townships) within Lingyun County’s administrative region: Luolou Town, Sixiang Town, Jiayou Town, Shali Township, Xiajia Town, Lingshan Township, and Yuhong Township, along with their 78 administrative villages (communities). The protected area lies between 106°25′–106°54′ east longitude and 24°12′–24°37′ north latitude, covering a total area of 1,059.6 square kilometers, with a protected cultivation area of 50,000 mu and an annual output of 60,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: The fruit is near-heart shaped, slightly pointed at the apex, slightly indented at the center, with a round, moderately deep stem cavity and distinct suture lines. It is roughly symmetrical on both sides. The skin is green to yellow-green with reddish blush spots, smooth with a waxy coating. The flesh is orange-yellow, crisp, tender, juicy, sweet, and has a honey-like aroma. The stone is small and clingstone. Average fruit weight is 30.2g. (2) Internal Quality: Total sugar ≥8.0g/100g, total acid ≤6.6g/kg, soluble solids ≥11.3%, edible rate ≥94.6%, vitamin C ≥4.48mg/100g, selenium content ≥0.00126mg/kg. (3) Quality and Safety Standards: Lingyun Niuxin Plums are strictly produced under pollution-free and standardized processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.