Sichuan Pepper from Jiangjin

Sichuan Pepper from Jiangjin

Sichuan pepper from Jiangjin is a protected geographical indication product.

Sichuan pepper from Jiangjin is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Sichuan pepper from Jiangjin is an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　Sichuan pepper from Jiangjin, a specialty of Jiangjin City in Chongqing, is a Chinese national geographical indication product. The city has a long history of growing Sichuan pepper, boasts superior geographical and climatic conditions, and produces pepper with a strong numbing flavor and rich aroma. It is also abundant in various trace elements and has a high oil extraction rate. Not only is it an excellent seasoning, but through processing, it can also yield a variety of valuable chemical raw materials. The product is very popular in both domestic and international markets.

　　Chongqing’s Jiangjin is known as China’s famous “Hometown of Sichuan Pepper.” The area has a long tradition of cultivating the spice, dating back to the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century. Centuries ago, Jiangjin Sichuan pepper was already renowned across regions. On a Dutch merchant ship that sank over 300 years ago and was salvaged off the coast of Mauritius, barrels of Sichuan pepper were found that still emitted fragrance, with the faint words “Ba Shu Jiang Zhou Fu” visible on the barrels.

　　Production Environment

　　Jiangjin City is surrounded by high mountains and features undulating hills, with a landscape dominated by low mountains and hills. Here, see Figure 1: Jiangjin pepper farmers harvesting Sichuan pepper

　　...The area experiences frequent rain and fog, resulting in high humidity. Locals enjoy Sichuan cuisine, for which Sichuan pepper is an essential seasoning. Additionally, the pepper has medicinal properties such as removing dampness, dispelling wind, and fighting cold. To prevent and treat rheumatism, Jiangjin residents have a special fondness for the spice. Moreover, the region enjoys ample sunlight, suitable temperatures, abundant rainfall, and favorable seasonal and monthly distributions—all of which provide ideal climatic conditions for Sichuan pepper growth.

　　Production Situation

　　Since the 1990s, Jiangjin City has developed Sichuan pepper on a large scale. To transform this small-scale crop into a major industry, in 2001, the Jiangjin municipal government guided the establishment of Chongqing Simian Mountain Pepper Company and a Sichuan pepper research institute. Leveraging science and technology, they shortened the fruiting period by half and conducted comprehensive research on the development of Sichuan pepper in food seasoning, daily chemicals, fragrances, and healthcare medicine. This led to the inclusion of deep-processing projects twice in China's National 863 Program. They also developed a series of new Sichuan pepper products, among which six projects—including pepper essence and microencapsulated pepper powder—won national patents, filling gaps in similar domestic products. Three new products—preserved fresh pepper and pepper essential oil—were recognized as Chongqing high-tech products, key new products, and brand-name products. In terms of rapid detection of pepper numbness compounds, Jiangjin pioneered a technology in China that accurately measures the content in a short time, which has applications in industries such as instant noodles. The essential oil extracted from Jiangjin Sichuan pepper, described as having a “unique fragrance, offering a refreshing and pleasant sensation,” has been incorporated by French cosmetics giant L'Oréal into its global sourcing system. This makes Jiangjin Sichuan pepper the first Chinese cosmetic ingredient to enter L'Oréal’s supply chain. Downstream industry demand has directly driven upstream pepper cultivation. Farmers’ enthusiasm for growing Sichuan pepper has greatly increased, and the planting area in Jiangjin has rapidly expanded. In 2007, the total planting area reached 500,000 mu, accounting for 62% of Chongqing’s 807,000 mu of Sichuan pepper cultivation—1.08 times more than Hancheng in Shaanxi (240,000 mu) and 2.33 times more than Laiwu in Shandong (150,000 mu)—making it China’s largest green Sichuan pepper base. In 2011, fresh pepper production reached 150,000 tons, generating sales revenue of 1.23 billion yuan, equivalent to the combined regional fiscal income. Ranking first among China’s three major Sichuan pepper bases (Chongqing Jiangjin, Shaanxi Hancheng, and Shandong Laiwu), Jiangjin’s “Jiuye Qing” pepper also leads China’s four major Sichuan pepper varieties (Jiuye Qing, Hanyuan Tribute Pepper, Hancheng Dahongpao, Yunnan Dahongpao), and continues to expand at a rate of 6,667 hectares per year. Chongqing Simian Mountain Pepper Development Co., Ltd. adopted a “company + association + base + farmer” development model, establishing around 667 hectares of standardized export production demonstration bases and over 3,330 hectares of green production bases, making it a project of the “National Forestry Standardized Cultivation Demonstration Program” under the State Forestry Administration. The extension of the Sichuan pepper industry chain and increased added value have made it a pillar of Jiangjin’s agricultural economy, bringing substantial benefits to pepper farmers. The 33,000 hectares of pepper produce 130,000 tons of fresh pepper annually, generating an income of 794 million yuan and increasing the average annual income of over 600,000 pepper farmers by more than 700 yuan each. In December 2004, Jiangjin City was honored with the title of “China’s Hometown of Specialty Economic Forests” in the third batch of the year announced by the State Forestry Administration, earning the designation of “China’s Hometown of Sichuan Pepper.” In August 2005, due to its unique geographical origin and quality characteristics, Jiangjin Sichuan pepper received protection as a national geographical indication product.

　　According to the “Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products,” the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine reviewed the application for geographical indication product protection for Jiangjin Sichuan pepper. Upon passing the review, it approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection starting October 17, 2005 (Announcement No. 150 of 2005).

　　Protection Scope

　　The protection scope of the geographical indication product Jiangjin Sichuan pepper is based on the range proposed in the “Request to List Jiangjin Sichuan Pepper as a Protected Origin Product” (Jiangjin Government Document [2004] No. 117) submitted by the People’s Government of Jiangjin City in Chongqing, covering the entire administrative region of Jiangjin City.

　　Regional Scope

　　Jiangjin Sichuan pepper is produced within the territory of Jiangjin District in Chongqing, specifically in the following 27 towns and subdistrict offices: Baisha Town, Luohuang Town, Shimao Town, Lishi Town, Youxi Town, Xianfeng Town, Caijia Town, Bolin Town, Xihu Town, Shimen Town, Shuangfu Town, Yongxing Town, Longhua Town, Wutan Town, Jiasi Town, Dushi Town, Zhuyang Town, Ciyun Town, Zhongshan Town, Jiaping Town, Xiaba Town, Guangxing Town, Tanghe Town, as well as Jijiang Subdistrict Office, De’an Subdistrict Office, Zhiping Subdistrict Office, and Simian Mountain Management Committee. The total production area spans 33,000 hectares, with an annual yield of 100,002 tons. Jiangjin District in Chongqing borders Qijiang County and Banan District to the east, Yongchuan District and Guizhou Province’s Hejiang County to the west, Guizhou Province’s Xishui County to the south, and Bishan County to the north. The district stretches 83 km from east to west and 100 km from north to south, covering a total area of 3,202 square kilometers. Its geographical coordinates are longitude 105°49′–106°38′ east and latitude 28°28′–29°28′ north. The lowest point in the district is at an elevation of 178.5 meters, while the highest peak reaches 1,709.4 meters. The optimal growing areas for Jiangjin Sichuan pepper are in towns (or subdistricts) such as Caijia, Jiaping, Xianfeng, Lishi, Ciyun, Baisha, Shimen, Wutan, Zhuyang, Jiasi, and Dushi.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic-Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Landform Conditions: Jiangjin District’s soils are divided into four categories (paddy soil, alluvial soil, purple soil, yellow soil), seven subcategories (alluvial paddy soil, purple paddy soil, yellow soil paddy soil, river alluvial soil, brown-purple soil, yellow soil, red-purple soil), 22 soil genera, 72 soil species, and 110 soil variants. There is one forest soil subcategory and seven soil genera. Soil pH ranges from 6.5 to 8. Soil fertility is moderate.

　　Soil development is relatively shallow, with neutral and slightly acidic soils predominating. Organic matter content is 1.48%, ranging from 0.915% to 5.369%. The area is surrounded by high mountains, features undulating hills, and has a landscape dominated by low mountains and hills. Its geological structure lies in the transitional zone between the “East Sichuan Fold Belt” and the “Sichuan-Guizhou North-South Structural Belt,” with structural features influenced accordingly and axes often twisted into an “S” shape.

　　(2) Hydrological Conditions: Jiangjin District has 38 rivers of varying sizes, covering a drainage area of about 2,000 square kilometers. Among them, five rivers—the Yangtze River, Qijiang River, Tangjiang River, Sunxi River, and Bijiang River—have drainage areas exceeding 1,000 square kilometers, while the Zhuyang River and Lüzhi River exceed 200 square kilometers. These are perennial rivers. The rest are small, short, and seasonal. The water is clear and pure, making it ideal for industrial, agricultural, and domestic use.

　　(3) Climatic Conditions: Jiangjin District has distinct monsoons, four clear seasons, a mild climate, and abundant rainfall. Springs arrive early but warm-ups are unstable; autumn brings frequent overcast weather and rapid cooling; winter and spring are dry with little rain, leading to frequent droughts and floods. There are also significant vertical climate differences between the north and south. The annual average temperature is 18.2°C, with monthly averages from April to October higher than the yearly norm. Summer temperatures are high with little variation, staying above 25°C, and in some areas, the average maximum temperature in August can reach 33.9°C. In January, the coldest month, the average minimum temperature is 5.4°C. Spring and autumn temperatures are nearly equal and slightly above the yearly average. The average annual solar radiation is 361.9 kJ/cm², peaking in August and reaching its lowest in December. Annual sunshine duration averages 1,207.9 hours, ranging from a maximum of 1,628.8 hours to a minimum of 951.7 hours. August sees the most sunshine at 217.8 hours, while December has the least at 30.8 hours. The average annual rainfall is 1,034.7 mm, with 802.8 mm falling between May and October (summer and autumn), accounting for 78% of the year. Winter and spring (December to February) receive an average of 62.2 mm, or 6% of the annual total. Seasonally, summer accounts for 43% of the year’s rainfall, winter for 6%, with July being the wettest month at 171.3 mm, followed by June, and January the driest at just 17.8 mm. The average annual number of rainy days is 156, ranging from a maximum of 180 to a minimum of 130.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Factors: Jiangjin has a long and rich cultural history. It was part of Liangzhou in the “Tribute of Yu,” belonged to the Ba State in the Zhou Dynasty, and was under Ba Commandery in the Qin Dynasty. As early as 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic Age, early human civilization thrived here. To date, 603 fixed cultural relics have been discovered, indicating a wealth of heritage. Jiangjin has long been known as the “Hometown of Sichuan Pepper.” Cultivation of Jiangjin Sichuan pepper began in the Yuan Dynasty, over 600 years ago. To strengthen and expand the Sichuan pepper industry, the district’s Party committee and government set clear development goals, moving beyond the “household-based operation” model. Emphasizing “supporting large growers, building associations, and guiding smallholders,” they actively promoted an operational model of “company + research + association + specialized cooperative + grower households,” forming a Sichuan pepper association to serve the industry. Strict enforcement of the “Jiangjin Sichuan Pepper Production Base Management System” has continuously improved production and management standards, significantly boosting farmers’ incomes and export earnings.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Origin Selection: Choose areas within the jurisdictions of the 27 towns and subdistrict offices, where the origin environmental quality must meet the requirements of the “Technical Conditions for Green Food Origin Environment” (NT/391-2000).

　　(2) Variety Selection: Select the Jiuye Qing Sichuan pepper variety, which is highly resistant, high-yielding, of good commercial quality, and abundant in yield.

　　Production Technology Requirements

　　(1) Location Selection: The production area must be within the jurisdictions of 27 towns and subdistrict neighborhood committees. The environmental quality of the production area must meet the requirements of the Technical Conditions for the Environment of Green Food Production Areas (NT/391-2000).

　　(2) Variety Selection: Select the Jiuye Qing pepper variety, which is highly resistant to stress, of superior quality and high yield, with good marketability and high productivity.

　　(3) Production Process Management: The production of Jiangjin peppercorns must strictly follow the "Jiangjin Peppercorn Production Operation Procedures." The use of pesticides and fertilizers during production must comply with the "Green Food Pesticide Application Guidelines" (NT/393-2000) and the "Green Food Fertilizer Application Guidelines" (NT/394-2000). To ensure the quality characteristics of Jiangjin peppercorns, particular attention should be paid to the following steps: A. Field management during the growth period of the peppercorns. ① Timely transplanting: Select robust peppercorn seedlings, generally no taller than 30 cm, and plant them in autumn or spring each year. The planting specification is 3 × 2 meters, with 110 plants per mu, and thoroughly water the plants after planting to establish roots. ② Irrigation: One week after planting, check the survival rate. If there are any gaps due to failed plants, replant promptly. If the soil is relatively dry and the tender shoots of the seedlings show signs of wilting, water them in time, ensuring the soil around the roots is sufficiently moist. ③ Pruning the main stem: After the seedlings have survived and taken root, retain the main stem at 50–60 cm and cut off the upper part, keeping the plump buds below the cut. At the same time, remove lateral branches within 30 cm from the ground. ④ Fertilization: Apply fertilizer after the seedlings have survived and sprouted until they begin to flower and bear fruit. Ensure the proper combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with a slight emphasis on nitrogen fertilizer to promote tree growth. Generally, apply fertilizer three times a year—in early to mid-February, early May, and mid to late July. Each time, apply an appropriate amount of organic fertilizer such as diluted livestock manure (2–3 kg per plant) or add 20 g of formulated peppercorn fertilizer (with a total content of 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter). All types of fertilizer should be applied in a small pit or ring about 20–30 cm around the base of the peppercorn tree. First dig a small trench or hole, then place the fertilizer and cover it with soil. After the trees begin to flower and bear fruit, adjust the fertilizer application to—

　　As the tree grows, gradually increase the amount of fertilizer used and appropriately emphasize a higher proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, along with increased calcium fertilizer. Generally, fertilize three times a year—in early to mid-February, early May, and after harvest (mid to late July). For the first two applications, use 100–200 grams of specialized peppercorn fertilizer per plant (adjust within this range based on the size of the tree), and for the last application, use 150–250 grams per plant. During the early February and post-harvest fertilizer applications—

　　—also combine with appropriate organic fertilizers, such as 3–4 kg of livestock manure water per plant.

　　All types of fertilizer should be applied in a pit or ring around the base of the peppercorn tree, 30–40 cm from the trunk. First dig a small trench or hole—

　　—then place the fertilizer and cover it with soil. ⑤ Weeding: Weeding is generally carried out before fertilizing and during the overwintering period of pests and diseases (November–December). Manual weeding is usually combined with fertilization. Weeding when weeds are just sprouting, after rain when the soil surface is compacted, or before fertilization can achieve the dual benefits of loosening the soil, retaining moisture, and preventing weed growth. Chemical weeding: When weeds are growing excessively and labor is limited, chemical herbicides may be used. Apply 500 ml of 10% glyphosate per mu in the early morning when dew has not yet dried to control weeds. ⑥ Pruning and shaping: The general goal of peppercorn pruning is to achieve a clear layering, a well-arranged framework, even branch distribution, good ventilation and light penetration, and early fruiting with high yield through methods primarily involving multiple main branches and heading cuts. Common tree shapes include open-center, cup-shaped, pagoda-shaped, and fan-shaped. B. Adhere to an integrated pest management approach that emphasizes prevention and biological control: In the production of Jiangjin peppercorns, first adopt scientific, advanced agronomic measures, biological methods, and cultivation management techniques to eliminate or reduce sources of disease and pest populations, thereby avoiding or minimizing losses caused by pests and diseases. Avoid pesticide use when possible, and prefer biological pesticides over chemical ones. When selecting pesticides, choose those that are highly effective, low-toxicity, and low-residue, strictly controlling the dosage and safety intervals to prevent pesticide residues from affecting the quality of the peppercorns.

　　(4) Product Harvesting: Harvest at the right time, beginning when the peppercorns reach about 80% maturity. Sun-dry the harvested fresh peppercorn fruits, then remove residual seeds, leaves, stems, and other impurities. Package them by grade and quantity for market, or refine, heat-sterilize, wash, vacuum-pack, and refrigerate them for preservation and market sales.

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: The entire production process of Jiangjin peppercorns must maintain detailed field production records, which should be comprehensively documented and properly preserved for future reference.

　　Typical Quality Characteristics and Product Quality Safety Standards

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: The peppercorns must reach approximately 80% maturity; they should be fresh green or yellow-green in color; possess the inherent taste and aroma of fresh peppercorns, with no off-odors; maintain the original form of fresh peppercorns, free from broken grains, moldy grains, or rotten grains; free from thick branches or large leaves, free from peppercorn spines, with only a small amount of fine twigs, leaves, and thin stems allowed, and no other foreign impurities.

　　(2) Internal Quality Indicators: Jiangjin peppercorns must have a volatile oil content of ≥2.5%, total ash ≤10%, acid-insoluble ash ≤5%, and numbness-inducing compounds (hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, etc.) ≥8 mg/g.

　　(3) Safety Requirements: Jiangjin peppercorns must strictly comply with the "Pollution-Free Food Spices" (NY5323-2006) standard.

　　Packaging and Labeling Requirements

　　The labeling on the sales packaging of Jiangjin peppercorns must comply with the provisions of GB7718-1994. Packaging materials must meet food hygiene standards. After sealing, the packaging bags must not exhibit any air leakage or damage. Each retail—

　　The logos on the sales packaging of Jiangjin peppercorns shall comply with the regulations specified in GB7718-1994; the packaging materials must meet food hygiene standards. After sealing, the packaging bags must not exhibit any air leakage or damage, and each unit is for retail sale.