Wulong Highland Chili Peppers

Wulong Highland Chili Peppers

Wulong Highland Chili Peppers are a product with geographical indication status.

　　The Wulong Highland Chili Peppers have been awarded the first batch of National Agricultural Product Geographical Indication registrations by the Ministry of Agriculture of China. After receiving this geographical indication, only agricultural products produced within the designated area are permitted to use this mark, which is legally protected. Highland chili peppers belong to the Solanaceae family of vegetables. Their fruits are green when unripe and turn red upon ripening. The unique natural conditions and mountain microclimate (the planting areas are located at altitudes above 800 meters in He Tian on pollution-free high mountains), along with specific cultivation methods (produced according to green food standards, using cake fertilizer and organic manure), and the long growth cycle, give the chili peppers their large size, thick flesh, bright color, glossy appearance, and a flavor that balances sweetness and spiciness, along with very high vitamin content. The fruits are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C, especially notable for having the highest vitamin C content among vegetables.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Wulong County is located on the southeastern edge of Chongqing Municipality, at the junction of the Dalou Mountain fold belt of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Wuling Mountain Range, between 107°13’–108°05’ east longitude and 29°02’–29°40’ north latitude. The area is predominantly mountainous, with relative elevation differences generally between 700–1000 meters. The highest elevation in the county is 2033.3 meters, and the lowest is 160 meters. Wulong Highland Chili Peppers are grown in the regions of Tie Lu Village in Shuanghe Township and Jielong Village, Xiaoping Village, and Lianghe Village to the west of the Tongzi Mountain Range, all situated west of the Xiannushan Mountain Range and Xiannushan National Forest Park in Wulong County, Chongqing. These areas lie at altitudes between 900–1300 meters. The total production area spans 800 hectares, with an annual output of 25,000 tons.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: The production area for Wulong Highland Chili Peppers features limestone strata and yellow soil, mostly rocky soil, with a pH value of 5.5–6.5 and an average organic matter content of 2.6–3%. The ecological environment is superior, with good quality soil, agricultural irrigation water, and air, and no industrial "three wastes" pollution.

　　(2) Hydrology: The county has a highly developed water system. The main course of the Wu River flows from east to west across the entire region, spanning over 80 kilometers. Twelve tributaries — including the Furong River, Daxi River, Muzong River, Changtu River, and Shiliang River — converge with the Wu River, forming the Wu River system within Wulong. Apart from the Wu River, the total water resources in the area amount to 2.17 billion cubic meters, including 2.08 billion cubic meters of surface runoff. Agricultural irrigation in the production area mainly relies on surface runoff or water storage, with abundant seasonal water supply. The silt content of agricultural irrigation water is 5–20%, and the mineralization level is <1g/L. Irrigation water temperature can be reasonably adjusted according to the county’s natural characteristics and crop growth stages, meeting the national quality requirements for farmland irrigation water.

　　The water quality requirements for farmland irrigation.

　　(3) Climate: The area has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by mild weather, abundant rainfall, distinct seasons, spring rains, summer droughts, prolonged autumn drizzles, and dry winters. There are many clouds, little sunshine, a relatively long frost-free period, and significant vertical climate variation. The average annual temperature ranges from 10–17°C, annual rainfall is 1094.4mm, the frost-free period lasts 210–260 days, and the relative humidity of the air is 74–83%.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: Wulong County is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for karst landscapes, with a forest coverage rate of around 40%. It is home to attractions such as Xiannushan National Forest Park, Baimashan Nature Reserve, the Furongjiang Scenic Area, Furong Cave, Tiansheng Sanqiao (Heavenly Pit Three Bridges), and the Earth Crack. Since the 19th century, there has been a tradition of growing chili peppers in high-altitude areas, and large-scale cultivation began in the early 1980s with the introduction of new varieties. Since then, continuous variety updates and quality control measures have led to an expansion in cultivation area. Due to the vast highland arable land, crop rotation practices, and a suitable climate with minimal pests and diseases, the "Wulong Highland Chili Peppers" possess distinctive qualities — they are crisp, tender, sweet, with thick skin, moderate spiciness, and excellent taste. They are suitable for stir-frying, boiling, cold mixing, pickling, or processing into chili sauce. Wulong is Chongqing’s first county to promote pollution-free vegetable production comprehensively. Wulong vegetables have become a major source for ensuring the supply of vegetables during the autumn off-season in Chongqing’s urban core, and have also gained a certain market share in surrounding provinces, cities, and the southeast coast. The products are exported in large quantities, significantly increasing farmers' incomes and prosperity. The Wulong County Government has prioritized vegetables as a leading agricultural industry, and the Chongqing Municipal Government has listed the Wulong Vegetable Base as a key supply source for ensuring the autumn off-season vegetable supply in Chongqing’s urban core.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Production Area Selection: Wulong Highland Chili Peppers are grown in areas with altitudes between 900–1300 meters, specifically in Tie Lu Village in Shuanghe Township west of Xiannushan National Forest Park in the Xiannushan Mountain Range, and in Jielong Village, Xiaoping Village, and Lianghe Village to the west of the Tongzi Mountain Range. The production environment meets the requirements of "Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Pollution-Free Vegetable Production Area Environmental Requirements" (GB18407.1-2001).

　　(2) Variety Selection: Disease and pest-resistant varieties with good external and internal quality and market demand are selected, such as the Yu Jiao series, Su Jiao series, and Korean chili series.

　　(3) Production Process Management: Production, transportation, and sales are strictly organized in accordance with the "Pollution-Free Food Chili Pepper Production Technical Regulations" (NY5005-2001).

　　(4) Product Harvesting and Post-Harvest Processing: The focus is on supplying the Chongqing urban core and local markets. Harvest time is determined based on market conditions once the fruits have formed. For processing-type chilies, harvesting occurs when fully mature, either for market or processing, according to the needs of contracted enterprises.

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: Field production records are established and maintained by farm owners, specialized cooperatives, or township agricultural service centers, with comprehensive documentation and proper preservation for future reference.

　　Product Typical Quality Characteristics and Quality Safety Standards

　　(1) Product Characteristics of Wulong Highland Chili Peppers: The fruit is a berry type, predominantly shaped like lanterns, long lanterns, cow or sheep horns, or cones. Product appearance features include large size, thick flesh, uniform shape, and colors ranging from grass green to dark green for vegetable chilies, and deep brown or bright red for processing-type chilies. The produce shows no wilting, pollutants, rot, off-odors, scorching, cracking, freezing damage, pests, diseases, or mechanical damage. Quality traits include a mildly sweet taste, fragrant aroma, moderate spiciness, excellent marketability, high nutritional value, and richness in capsaicin and vitamins, among other nutrients.

　　(2) Safety Requirements for Wulong Highland Chili Peppers: Products comply with the "Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Pollution-Free Vegetable Safety Requirements" (GB18406.1-2001).

　　Packaging, Labeling, and Related Regulations

　　(1) Grading: Wulong Highland Chili Peppers are classified into four grades after harvest based on shape, color, tenderness, and product characteristics: Special Grade, Premium Grade, First Grade, and Second Grade.

　　(2) Labeling: Users of the mark shall uniformly apply the agricultural product geographical indication (a combined labeling format of the Wulong Highland Chili Peppers name and the public identification symbol) on their products or packaging.