Ancient Law Prickly Ash

Ancient Law Prickly Ash

Ancient Law Prickly Ash is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Gulü, located in Tuánjié Subdistrict Office, Xishan District, Kunming City, is the area with the highest forest coverage in Kunming. The mountainous region of Gulü is one of the main areas where Yunnan prickly ash is distributed. Since ancient times, the area has been abundant in prickly ash, which has long been used as a food seasoning by the various ethnic groups in Gulü. With a long history of cultivation, its planting and cultivation are documented in Volume 6 (Economic Forests) of the Xishan District Annals: before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, prickly ash was introduced as an economic crop by local people; both the Gulü Yi and Bai Ethnic Township Annals and the Xishan District Forestry Annals (1996 edition) also record this. Gulü prickly ash is numbing yet fragrant, and its leaf pancakes give off a delicate aroma, making them a traditional delicacy in Kunming. The cries of Yi women selling “prickly ash leaves” have echoed through the streets of Kunming for over a century. A popular local saying goes, “Xiangyun chili, Midu garlic, Gulü prickly ash, and Longtan sauce.” Gulü prickly ash is harvested from high-altitude mountainous regions, is pollution-free, features large and plump grains, and has a high oil content. The refined prickly ash oil is highly favored by consumers. Currently, the planting area of Gulü prickly ash in the producing region is 1,506 hectares, with an annual yield of 1,200 tons. Gulü prickly ash products have been showcased at several consecutive Kunming International Agricultural Expos and the “Thousand Cooperatives, Thousand Products, Farmers’ Prosperity Project” exhibition held by the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives in Zhengzhou, Henan, receiving high praise from customers. Its main products, dried Gulü prickly ash and Gulü prickly ash oil, have become well-known agricultural brands in Xishan District and even in Kunming City. Both the Yunnan Science and Technology Daily and the China Cooperative Times have reported on them. The prickly ash industry is gradually becoming a new highlight for economic development in the impoverished mountainous areas of Xishan District and another pillar industry following tobacco cultivation.

　　The Gulü area in Tuánjié Subdistrict has an average elevation of 2,195 meters, which is suitable for prickly ash growth. Prickly ash has been cultivated in Gulü for 200 years and is characterized by large grains, a strong numbing fragrance, and being pollution-free. In the past, local farmers in Gulü grew prickly ash on a small scale with low yields. Yang Jinlian, a villager from Bantianjiu Village in Duomu Community, was one such case—she had only a few prickly ash trees, which were only enough for her own family’s consumption. In 2005, Xishan District established the Gulü Prickly Ash Professional Cooperative, integrating planting, production, processing, and sales. The situation changed dramatically afterward, as the “company + farmer + professional cooperative” operational model completely resolved the villagers’ sales issues.

　　Today, there are nearly 2,000 prickly ash growers in Gulü, with a total planting area of 8,000 mu. The largest households cultivate over 30 mu, and the average per-mu net income is nearly 1,000 yuan. This year alone, the Xishan District Gulü Prickly Ash Professional Cooperative has purchased approximately 30 tons of fresh prickly ash, produced about 15 tons of deep-processed prickly ash oil, and packaged over 2,000 gift boxes of branded Gulü prickly ash products. The output value has increased nearly fourfold. In addition to meeting the demands of the Yunnan market, the products are also sold to Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing, and other regions.

　　Due to the unique climate and ecological environment, farmers in Gulü, Tuánjié Office, Xishan District, have a tradition of growing prickly ash. Coupled with the large grain size, strong numbing fragrance, and pollution-free characteristics of the locally produced prickly ash, Gulü prickly ash has earned its name and gained some renown. However, for a long time, the small planting scale and low yield limited its potential. Since 2005, when Xishan District established the Gulü Prickly Ash Professional Cooperative integrating planting, production, processing, and sales, the “company + farmer + professional cooperative” model has been adopted, leading to a gradual expansion of the planting area. Currently, there are nearly 2,000 prickly ash growers in Gulü, with a total planting area of 8,000 mu. The largest growers cultivate up to 30 mu, with an average per-mu net income of nearly 1,000 yuan. This year alone, the Xishan District Gulü Prickly Ash Professional Cooperative has purchased nearly 30 tons of fresh prickly ash and produced 15 tons of deep-processed prickly ash oil. There are over 2,000 gift boxes of branded Gulü prickly ash products, representing a fourfold increase in output value. The products not only meet the needs of the Yunnan market but are also exported to Guizhou, Sichuan, Chongqing, and other regions, where they are in high demand.

　　According to Jin Pingyou, director of the Gulü Prickly Ash Professional Cooperative, to protect the “Gulü Prickly Ash” brand, Xishan District has applied for national geographical indication status for agricultural products. The planned annual planting area will reach 1,506 hectares, truly establishing Gulü prickly ash as a well-known brand that increases the income and prosperity of farmers in the mountainous regions.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The main producing area of Gulü prickly ash is located in Tuánjié Subdistrict Office, Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, situated in the northwestern part of the Kunming Faulted Lake Basin on the central Yunnan Plateau. Its geographic coordinates are between 102°25′28″–102°36′45″ east longitude and 24°59′36″–25°10′24″ north latitude, with a maximum east-west span of 22 kilometers and a maximum north-south span of 23 kilometers. The production area of Gulü prickly ash includes fifteen neighborhood committees: Duomu, Tuopai, Gulü, Lüze, Lemu, Caijia, Tuoji, Daxing, Xiachong, Yongjing, Yuhua, Heping, Qitai, Baimei, and Longtan, covering a planting area of 1,506 hectares with an annual total output of 1,200 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features: Gulü prickly ash trees are deciduous small trees or shrubs, about 3 meters tall, primarily with an open-center tree shape, thorny trunks, and small leaves with distinct serrations. Gulü prickly ash is characterized by large grains, bright crimson color, strong flavor, glossy appearance, dense and prominent oil glands, thick flesh, “double ears” at the stem end, and a richly fragrant and numbing taste. The dried fruit is purplish-red with uniform grain size, open eyes, and an intense, long-lasting numbing fragrance. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Gulü prickly ash is an essential spicy seasoning in daily life, rich in nutrients. It contains ≥6.5% protein, ≥2.0% volatile oil, and ≥7.5mg/g total amide substances. (3) Safety Requirements: Gulü prickly ash strictly adheres to the NY/5323-2006 standard for Pollution-Free Food Spices.