Huaning Persimmons

Huaning Persimmons

Huaning Persimmons are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Huaning County has a long history. As early as the Neolithic Age, humans lived and thrived on the eastern shore of Fuxian Lake. The earliest documented establishment of Huaning dates back to the Warring States period. In the late Warring States period, when China was on the verge of unification, it was divided into nine regions, with Huaning falling within the territory of Liangzhou. In the sixth year of the Yuanding era of the Han Dynasty (111 BC), the Wudan County was established in what is now Panxi. Around the 20th year of the reign of King Qingxiang of Chu (279 BC), and continuing through the Qin Dynasty, Huaning was part of the Dian Kingdom. During the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Jin Dynasty (326–334), it was known as Liangshui County. In the eighth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (634 AD), Lizhou was established. In the seventh year of the Tianbao era (748 AD), the area of Liangshui County became part of the Nanzhao BuXiong tribe and was called the Ning Tribe. In the fifth year of the Yuan Dynasty’s Emperor Xianzong (1255 AD), the Ningzhou Commandery was established, and in the 13th year of the Yuan Dynasty (1276 AD), it was reorganized as Ningzhou. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912 AD), the commandery was abolished and the county was established, initially named Ning County. However, due to the naming conflict with Ning County in Gansu Province, it was renamed Lixian County in October of the following year. In April of the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932 AD), the county was officially named Huaning County, derived from the first characters of Huagai Mountain and Ningshou Temple. It was liberated in January 1950, and the Huaning County People's Government has been in place since then. Huaning County is known for its picturesque landscapes and has produced many notable individuals throughout history, such as Zhang Ximing, Wang Yuanhan, Liu Dashen, and Zhu Jiabao. Pu Chaozhu, former Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, was also from Huaning. Huaning Persimmons have been cultivated for several hundred years. Most areas in the region have climate conditions that are highly suitable for persimmon growth, making it an ideal environment for the fruit. Huaning Persimmons carry a rich historical, cultural, and ethnic development significance. In Longtan Ying, a village within Huaning County, one settlement is called "Abechu," which in the local Yi language means "dried persimmon flowers," while another settlement, "Abaimi," means "persimmon flower field." The Yi people are indigenous to Yunnan, and both Abechu and Abaimi are ancient Yi villages in Huaning with a history of several hundred years, indicating the long tradition of persimmon cultivation in the area. During the Guangxu era, persimmons were already being cultivated on a large scale in Huaning. Huaning is known as the "Spring Township of China," home to 630 springs. With its excellent environmental conditions and standardized production techniques, the area produces early-ripening, crisp, sweet persimmons. The products are mainly sold to Guangdong, Fujian, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Jiangxi, Hunan, and Vietnam, forming an export-oriented market. Huaning persimmons hold a strong competitive edge in markets such as Guangdong, Fujian, and Hekou, where they command higher prices and sell quickly at wholesale. To promote the development of the persimmon industry, Huaning County established the Huaning Abechu Company. In 2004, the "Abechu" persimmon trademark was registered, and the "Abechu" persimmons were certified as green food—the first such certification in Yunnan Province. The persimmons also fetch the highest price in the province, reaching up to 5 RMB per kilogram. This has played a positive role in addressing rural issues and has received high praise from provincial and municipal leaders.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Huaning Persimmons are produced within Huaning County, covering Panxi Town, Huaxi Town, Qinglong Town, Tonghongdian Township, and Ningzhou Subdistrict Office—four towns and one subdistrict office. They are located between longitude 102°49′ to 103°09′ and latitude 23°59′ to 24°34′, stretching 64 kilometers from north to south and 34 kilometers from east to west, with a total area of 1,313 square kilometers. The persimmons are cultivated at altitudes of 1,100 to 2,100 meters, across a planting area of 3,334 hectares, yielding an annual production of 100,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The "Jiro" variety of Huaning Persimmons has a flat, square-shaped fruit with a slightly indented top, clear vertical grooves, smooth, fine, glossy skin, and turns orange-red when ripe. The "Abechu" variety has an oval-shaped fruit with a protruding top, less distinct vertical grooves, a prominent top, smooth and fine skin, a clean color, and turns orange-red after being de-astringed. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The flesh of Huaning Persimmons is yellowish-red, with a fine texture, seedless, crisp, sweet, and fragrant, offering high nutritional value. The soluble solids content is ≥11%, total sugar (calculated as reducing sugar) ≥10%, and hardness ≥4 kgf/cm². The fruit is rich in protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and ascorbic acid, among other nutrients. 3. Product Quality and Safety Standards: The quality and safety of Huaning Persimmons comply with the NY 5241-2004 "Pollution-Free Food – Persimmon" standards. Pesticide residue levels meet China’s maximum residue limits for fruits. Market entry follows the relevant provisions of the "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law."