Peng’an Golden Orange

Peng’an Golden Orange

Peng’an Golden Orange is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　This high-quality citrus variety was developed in 1972 by the Sichuan Citrus Selection and Breeding Cooperative in Peng’an County. It leads the national list of premium golden oranges due to its stable, desirable economic traits—tall fruit shape, large size, few seeds, vibrant color, abundant juice, rich flavor, easy-to-eat texture, high yield, early maturity, and excellent storage capability—as well as strong ecological adaptability and wide cultivation suitability. It has now become the dominant cultivar in dozens of counties and cities across the province and beyond.

　　Jincheng No. 100 features an attractive oblong shape, brilliant color, balanced sweet-tart flavor, and rich taste. Its peel is orange-red, with an average fruit weight of 221.5245 grams and typically zero to very few seeds (averaging fewer than four per fruit). It boasts over 11% soluble solids content, with higher vitamin C and sugar levels than ordinary sweet oranges. The fruit’s commercial appeal and market competitiveness are outstanding. Jincheng No. 100 trees have a rounded, somewhat spreading canopy and compact growth, making them ideal for high-density, high-yield cultivation.

　　In 1982, it won the Fourth Prize for Major Scientific and Technological Achievements from the Sichuan Provincial Government; in 1985, the National Golden Cup Award for High-Quality Agricultural Products; in 1989, the same award again; and in 1993, the International Silver Award for High-Quality Agricultural Products in Bangkok, Thailand. It is now sold in more than ten provinces and cities across China.

　　Nanchong has a long history of citrus cultivation, earning its reputation as the “Fruit City” thanks to its abundant, high-quality citrus production. According to the *Nanchong County Annals*, in the fourth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (621 AD), Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan established Guozhou in Nanchong, naming it after Guoshan (“Fruit Mountain”), which was described as “a range of layered peaks west of the county seat, covered with yellow mandarins.” This indicates that large-scale citrus (yellow mandarin) cultivation already existed in the western hills outside Nanchong at the time. Later, Pu Hushi introduced yellow mandarins to Ma’anshan in today’s Gaoping District about 150 years ago. DqL

　　After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, through the tireless efforts of Nanchong’s fruit tree researchers, numerous high-yield, high-quality citrus varieties were developed, such as Xichong Qing 39 Navel Orange, 1407 Navel Orange, Xichong Golden Orange No. 23, and Peng’an Wanhe 83-1 Sweet Orange. Among these, Peng’an Golden Orange No. 100 stands out with its inverted oval shape, large size (average transverse and longitudinal diameters of 8.02 × 6.7 cm, and a fruit shape index of 1.2), and average single fruit weight of 172.3 grams. Its deep orange-red peel is strikingly beautiful. Tests show that the edible portion accounts for 74.09% of the fruit, with tender flesh, abundant juice, easy-to-eat texture, and a richly sweet flavor. It contains 11.5% soluble solids (peaking at over 13%), with 9.799% total sugar, 0.933g citric acid, and 49.16mg vitamin C per 100ml of juice. The variety excels in having few seeds, an attractive shape, stable high and consistent yields, and genetically stable traits. It has been honored with the Third Prize for Major Scientific and Technological Achievements in Sichuan in 1982, first place in the Sichuan Provincial High-Quality Citrus Evaluation in 1985, second place nationally in the same category that year, and the National Golden Cup Award for High-Quality Citrus from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. DqL

　　Citrus fruits also hold an irreplaceable place in the hearts of many Nanchong residents. Oranges are often among their favorite fruits for entertaining guests, and many households routinely stock mandarins or navel oranges. When visitors arrive, a large plate is brought out—not only satisfying but also impressive. When traveling, carrying a few mandarins not only quenches thirst but also evokes nostalgia for the “Fruit City,” filling locals with pride and affection. DqL

　　Though times have changed and tastes have evolved, with a steady stream of “foreign” and “local” fruits arriving, Nanchong residents remain deeply attached to citrus. It has become a cornerstone of prosperity for families and the city, as well as a showcase of Nanchong’s image. Though Nanchong’s yellow oranges and red tangerines may not be the most eye-catching, their fragrance is everywhere. Like a main artery, their juice and aroma flow through this vast and enduring land—from fields to markets, from branches to factories, carrying the hope of hard work; from small-scale operations to branded products, expanding across the province, the nation, and beyond, showcasing the Nanchong brand.

　　Peng’an Golden Orange

　　Geographical Scope

　　Peng’an County is located in the northeast of the Sichuan Basin, in the middle and upper reaches of the Jialing River. The geographical indication protection area for Peng’an Golden Orange covers 39 townships: Xiangru, Jinping, Changliang, Zhengyuan, Shikong, Heshu, Lixi, Sanba, Longcan, Xinyuan, Bixi, Liutan, Kaiyuan, Luojia, Yangjia, Fude, Xinhe, Yinhan, Nanyan, Xingwang, Haitian, Jidu, Fengshi, Tiancheng, Julong, Qunle, Lulu, Longyun, Gaomiao, Muba, Xujia, Chadian, Zhujia, Qilong, Jinjia, Jinxi, Shiliang, Pingtou, and Xiandian. It borders Yingshan and Qu counties to the east, Guang’an and Yuechi counties to the south, Gaoping and Shuncheng districts to the west, and Nanbu and Yilong counties to the north, spanning longitude 106°10′–106°42′ and latitude 32°2′–32°18′. The protected area spans 10,000 hectares, with an annual yield of 300,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Peng’an Golden Orange fruits are large, oval-shaped, and well-formed, with an orange-red peel of moderate thickness. The flesh is orange, fine-textured, easy to eat, juicy, and has a balanced sweet-tart flavor with a rich taste. It is seedless. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Peng’an Golden Orange has ≥10% soluble solids, ≥70% edible rate, and high vitamin C content. (3) It meets the safety requirements of the *Pollution-Free Food Citrus Fruits* (NY5014-2005) standard.