Flat Mandarin

Flat Mandarin

　　The cultivation of flat mandarins in Pubei began in the late Qing Dynasty. Major production areas are distributed across towns such as Longmen, Zhanghuang, Jiangcheng, and Zhangjia. The most notable characteristics of Pubei flat mandarins are their large size, thin peel, bright golden rind, crisp and sweet flesh, and excellent storability and transport resilience. In 1999, the planting area of flat mandarins in Pubei County was 11,989 mu, with a yield of 138,760 tons. (Pubei)

　　During the Republican era, flat mandarins were typically grown by individual households, usually on irrigable farmland. Households planted a few mu at most and enjoyed relatively good annual income. From the 1960s to the 1980s after liberation, production teams in collectives such as Jiangbu Brigade and Lintang Brigade in Longzhen Township mainly grew flat mandarins, focusing on upland citrus cultivation, which helped those areas achieve relatively strong economic development. The main producing areas—Longzhen, Zhanghuang, Beitong, and Jiangcheng—harvested flat mandarins one or two months before the Spring Festival each year, with an annual output of around 2 million kilograms. On the eve of the Fourth National People’s Congress in December 1974, the flat mandarins from Longzhen Township were designated as special supplies for the event and transported to Beijing. Pubei flat mandarins are characterized by their large size and thin peel, with the largest fruit weighing up to 250 grams, and a bright, attractive golden rind. The fresh flesh is crisp and sweet.

　　Among them, the “Jinqian [corpse mouth]” variety is considered the finest. Flat mandarins store well and are transport-resistant. They sell well both within and outside the province.