Ling Shi Vitex Honey

Ling Shi Vitex Honey

Ling Shi Vitex Honey is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Vitex honey is produced in Ling Shi County, located in central Shanxi Province. It is one of the three major vitex honey producing areas in North China and also an important nectar source base.

　　Ling Shi County lies at the junction of the Taiyue and Lüliang mountain ranges in central Shanxi. The terrain is hilly and rugged with numerous valleys, featuring a mild climate and abundant wild nectar-producing plants.

　　The nectar source for vitex honey is the vitex plant. Vitex is a hardy species that thrives in poor, dry soils and yields ample nectar. During the blooming season, each beehive can produce 15–20 kilograms of honey. The honey has a bright color and a semi-transparent amber appearance; when crystallized, it is fine and milky white, with a fragrant aroma, sweet taste without cloying, and a concentration of 41 to 42 degrees. It contains 32.9% glucose, 41.4% fructose, 2.13% acidity, 179% enzyme activity, 0.27% sugar content, as well as more than ten types of minerals along with proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and inorganic acids. Not only is it an ideal nourishing food, but it also helps relieve coughs and moisten the lungs, improve digestion and bowel movements, prevent heatstroke and clear the mind, and offers benefits such as enhancing vitality and promoting longevity. It serves as an excellent summer beverage for heat relief and holds high edible and medicinal value. In 1982, Ling Shi Vitex Honey was classified as a first-grade product under the national honey standards issued by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　Ling Shi Vitex Honey enjoys a long-standing international reputation and is exported to countries such as Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France. It is a traditional export commodity of Ling Shi County. Currently, the county has established the first beekeeping association in Shanxi Province, built experimental apiaries, and developed over 3,600 bee colonies. The industry has achieved high-quality breed production, with an annual honey output exceeding 130,000 kilograms.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected geographical indication area for Ling Shi Vitex Honey covers 192 administrative villages across eight towns in Ling Shi County, Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province: Cuifeng Town, Liangdu Town, Xiamen Town, Duanpuren Town, Jiaokou Township, Yingwu Township, Wangyu Township, and Tan Zhen Township. The geographical coordinates are between 112°28′–113°01′ east longitude and 37°12′–37°03′ north latitude. It borders Jiexiu City to the northeast, shares a boundary with Xiaoyi City to the north, neighbors Fenxi County to the southwest, and adjoins Jiaokou County to the northwest. The total area is 17,000 hectares, with an annual production of 500,000 kilograms.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Bright color, semi-transparent amber appearance; fine and milky white crystals, fragrant aroma, sweet taste without cloying. 2. Internal Quality: Ling Shi Vitex Honey contains ≥60% fructose and glucose, ≤5% sucrose, ≥4 starch enzyme activity value, and ≤25 zinc. 3. Safety Requirements: The production of Ling Shi Vitex Honey must comply with the national standard GB14963-2011 and the agricultural industry standard NY5134-2008 of the People’s Republic of China. The use of chloramphenicol, nitroimidazoles, and nitrofuran drugs is prohibited. Lead content in the product must not exceed limits to ensure product quality and safety.