Tongren Pearl Peanuts

Tongren Pearl Peanuts

Tongren Pearl Peanuts are a product with geographical indication.

　　Pearl Peanuts

　　Peanuts are produced in many areas, but Tongren peanuts are unique for their special qualities and are widely renowned. As "pearl bean type" peanuts, they mature in a way that allows the entire pod to be easily harvested by pulling at the stems and leaves, ensuring fast collection and high yield. These peanuts have thin shells, few empty pods, plump kernels, and smooth surfaces. They are sold throughout the country and exported to countries and regions such as Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. According to scientific analysis, their protein content reaches as high as 46%, which is 1.6 times that of Northeast large peanuts. The red skins of these peanuts are considered an excellent remedy for lowering blood pressure. These peanuts can be processed into a variety of peanut-based food products. Among them, peanut oil and peanut soy sauce have won the “Outstanding New Product Award” at the National Food Industry 10-Year Achievements Exhibition and the “Outstanding Project Award” from the State Science and Technology Commission.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Tongren City is a major peanut-producing area in Guizhou Province. Tongren Pearl Peanuts are a premium local agricultural product with regional advantages within the province. They are grown in 169 towns and townships across 10 districts and counties under the jurisdiction of Tongren City: Bijiang, Wanshan, Jiangkou, Yuping, Shiqian, Sinan, Yinjiang, Dejiang, Yanhe, and Songtao. The geographical coordinates are: longitude 107°46' to 109°25', latitude 27°07' to 29°05'. The region spans 171 km from east to west and 219 km from north to south, covering a protected area of 18,003 square kilometers. The average elevation ranges between 300 to 800 meters, with a planting area of about 300,000 mu (approximately 20,000 hectares), and an annual total output exceeding 30,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Tongren Pearl Peanuts are locally grown in the Tongren area and are representative of the pearl bean type. The pods are small in size, with good glossiness. Each 100-peanut pod weighs around 130 grams, and each 100-kernel batch weighs about 50 grams, with a kernel rate of 70%. The seeds resemble pearls, with thin shells and mostly double-seed pods. The kernels are small, neat, full, with pink, glossy seed coats. They have a tender, delicate texture, rich aroma, a sweet aftertaste, good crispness, no off-flavors, and a unique flavor. From the 1960s to the 1980s, they were exported to Southeast Asia as a famous and high-quality product of Guizhou Province. They are a premium local agricultural product with distinctive regional characteristics and are the most prestigious fresh-eating peanuts in the southwestern region. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Tongren Pearl Peanut kernels contain 28–32 mg/100g of crude protein, 0.02–0.07 mg/100g of selenium (Se), 590–640 mg/100g of potassium, 20–63 mg/100g of calcium, 3.5–3.7 mg/100g of zinc, and 1.4–2.6 mg/100g of sodium (Na). (3) Quality and Safety Requirements: Quality safety follows the standards: GB/T18407.1 “Agricultural Product Safety Quality” – requirements for production environment; GB4285 “Safe Use Standards for Pesticides”; GB4407.2 “Oilseed Crop Seeds”; GB/T8321 “Guidelines for the Rational Use of Pesticides”; NY/T4961 “Guidelines for the Rational Use of Fertilizers”; General Principles; GB52T/435 “Guizhou Province Cultivated Land Fertility Classification Standards.” Dried peanut pods should be stored in dry, ventilated, and sunny warehouses. Storage must avoid contact with toxic, harmful, or odorous substances, and proper rodent control measures must be implemented.