Hejiang Zhenlong Pomelo

Hejiang Zhenlong Pomelo

Hejiang Zhenlong Pomelo is a product with geographical indication status for agricultural products.

　　Hejiang Zhenlong Pomelo is a variant of the Shatian pomelo variety and is considered a premium type among pomelos. Currently, it is cultivated on an area of 60,000 mu. Known for its thin peel, large solid interior, long kidney-shaped segments, easy peeling without fruit falling apart, crystal-clear flesh as if soaked in color, crisp and tender texture with few seeds, abundant juice, sweet taste reminiscent of rock sugar, and a clear, mellow, and long-lasting flavor, it can be said to embody the best qualities of all pomelo varieties, standing out as truly unique, and is often referred to as the “natural canned food.”

　　Xichong County was historically known as “Chongguo.” The region has a long history and strong foundation in fruit tree cultivation. According to the county annals from the 24th year of the Kangxi reign: “Among woody plants that bear fruit are peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, apples, and crabapples… which also provide ample fruit.” The Xichong County Annals also record a large number of wild peach trees. In 1985, in order to develop a raw material base for canned foods, the former Nanchong Canned Food Factory extensively trial-planted yellow-fleshed peach varieties such as Fenghuang, while also introducing a small number of clingstone varieties like Baihua, Beijing 26, and Shanghai Shuimi, as well as firm-fleshed varieties such as Piqiutao and Okubo. After several years of trial cultivation, yellow peaches and Shuimi peaches were not well-suited and did not thrive, but the firm-fleshed peaches from Gu Lou 3 Village in Xichong County demonstrated high and stable yields, large and brightly colored fruits, crisp and tender flesh, rich aroma, free-stone and easy-to-eat qualities, and excellent overall quality, earning them the nickname “Fragrant Peach” from local fruit farmers. In 1992, the county fruit technology station invited municipal and county-level fruit tree experts to conduct on-site investigations and specialized evaluations. Ultimately, combining the ancient place name of the area, this superior peach cultivar was officially named “Chongguo Fragrant Peach.” After more than 20 years of development, it is now mainly planted in 14 townships across Xichong County, including Gulou, Taiping, and Jinquan, with a total of 1.4 million trees and a production volume reaching 18,000 tons. Attempts to cultivate Chongguo Fragrant Peach in surrounding regions have not yielded comparable results, indicating that its exceptional quality is closely tied to Xichong’s unique geographical location and favorable ecological conditions such as good sunlight exposure. Xichong is a land of abundance and rich resources, particularly known for its fruit production, especially the renowned Chongguo Fragrant Peach. Due to its distinctive Xichong characteristics, in 2004, Comrade Wang Ning—then Party Secretary of Nanchong and current Deputy Governor of Sichuan Province—who visited Gulou Town in Xichong to sample the Chongguo Fragrant Peach, spoke highly of it and supported efforts to expand and strengthen the Chongguo Fragrant Peach brand. In 2007, Xichong County successfully secured approval for the High-Quality Fruit Chongguo Fragrant Peach Base Construction Project, with a total investment of 2.4 million yuan. The project was completed and passed inspection in 2008. “Taste Chongguo Fragrant Peach, Visit Zhang Lan’s Hometown” and “Taste Chongguo Fragrant Peach, Honor Ji Xin’s Legacy” have since become popular trends in northern Sichuan.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographical indication area for the Zhenlong Pomelo agricultural product includes 27 townships under the jurisdiction of Hejiang County: Hejiang Town, Mixi Township, Baimi Township, Wanglong Town, Baisha Town, Canbao Township, Jiaotan Township, Daqiao Town, Foyin Town, Xianshi Town, Yaoba Town, Chehuang Town, Jiuzhi Town, Erlizhen Township, Wutong Town, Fengming Town, Shilu Township, Rongshan Town, Bailu Town, Rongyou Township, Gan Yu Town, Xiantan Town, Nantan Township, Shilong Township, Hutou Township, Fubao Town, and Zihuai Town, encompassing 216 administrative villages. The geographical coordinates are: between 105°32′–106°28′ east longitude and 28°27′–29°01′ north latitude. The protected area spans 10,000 hectares, with a yield of 300,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Zhenlong Pomelo fruits are medium to large, oblate in shape, with a broad and flat fruit apex and short fruit neck. The peel is thick, yellow, glossy, with concave dots, densely packed and raised oil glands, and a fragrant aroma. The fruit core is solid, with 13–16 relatively uniform segments. The flesh is honey-yellow, easily separable, with shorter and finer juice vesicles. The flesh is crisp, tender, and easy to eat, with abundant juice, a rich flavor, and a purely sweet taste. The fruit matures early (mid-October). (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Zhenlong Pomelo has a soluble solids content of ≥9.0%, total acid content of ≤1.1%, suitable sugar levels, and is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E. (3) Quality and Safety Requirements: Meets the standards of the “Pollution-Free Food – Zhenlong Pomelo” (DB512021∕T2.2—2003).