Pingding Locust Flower Honey

Pingding Locust Flower Honey

Pingding Locust Flower Honey is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Also known as locust flower honey or simply locust honey, it is one of the four famous types of honey in China (locust, jujube, pagoda tree, and lychee). It is also one of the most reliably harvested major nectar sources in the country. Around the beginning of autumn, when the weather is crisp and clear, bees flit among the locust blossoms, collecting floral nectar to produce this honey. With a light amber color, it leaves a lasting fragrance on the palate and is endlessly aromatic. Due to its premium quality, it is referred to as "first-grade honey." Locust flower honey is mainly produced in North China and is rare in the South. It has the effects of clearing heat, removing dryness, detoxifying, and relieving pain.

　　The nectar source for locust flower honey is the locust flower, which comes from the locust plant—a type of shrub. Also known as locust berry, locust shoot, or locust bush, it belongs to the Verbenaceae family and is a deciduous shrub. It has palmate compound leaves with serrated edges on the leaflets, and bears purple flowers in panicles, along with drupe fruits. Widely distributed, it is a primary nectar source in North and Northeastern China. It typically grows in valleys, riverbanks, roadsides, and wastelands below 1,000 meters in elevation. It is drought-resistant and can thrive in poor soil, but it grows best and yields more nectar in areas with deep, fertile soil and adequate moisture. Under natural conditions, a single bee colony can produce between 15 and 50 kilograms of mature locust honey during the blooming season.

　　Locust flower honey contains a relatively high amount of glucose, making it prone to crystallization. Glucose is the nutrient most consumed by brain cells, so this honey is very suitable for mental workers, students, and office professionals. It also aids in physical recovery and is ideal for those who feel drowsy after meals, expend significant energy, or suffer from high mental stress.

　　Region: Shanxi

　　Applicant: Pingding County Beekeeping Association

　　Year of designation: 2014

　　Geographical Scope

　　Pingding County is located in the southern part of Yangquan City. To the east, it borders Jingxing County of Hebei Province; to the south, Xiyang County of the same province; to the west, Shouyang County; to the northeast, Yu County; and to the northwest, the suburbs of Yangquan City. The county is surrounded by mountains and crisscrossed with ravines. The eastern part features rugged terrain with high mountains, deep valleys, steep cliffs, and towering peaks, forming V-shaped valleys. Mountainous areas account for approximately 873 square kilometers, or 65% of the total area, followed by hills at about 407 square kilometers (30%), and flat or water-covered land at around 70 square kilometers (only 5%). It is a typical hilly and rocky region. The area enjoys a mild climate, ample sunlight, and fertile soil, with abundant locust resources. The protected geographical area includes 10 towns and over 80 natural villages across Guanshan, Shikoumen, Yexi, Suohuang, Zhangzhuang, Baijing, Donghui, Jucheng, Chakou, and Niangziguan in Pingding County. The geographical coordinates are longitude 113°25′55″–114°02′33″ and latitude 37°39′30″–38°07′30″. The protected honey production area spans 50,000 hectares (10,000 beehives), with an annual output of around 800 tons.