Ziyang Jinqian Orange

Ziyang Jinqian Orange

　　Ziyang Jinqian Orange is a specialty of Ziyang County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. The Ziyang Jinqian Orange features thin skin, few seeds, rich fragrance, tender and juicy pulp, well-balanced sweet-and-sour taste, delicate mouthfeel, and a long-lasting aftertaste. Its superior quality is unmatched by other types of oranges, making it a true delicacy among citrus fruits.

　　According to the Annals of Ziyang County: Ziyang is abundant in citrus fruits, particularly famous for its Jinqian Oranges. The cultivation of Jinqian Oranges in Ziyang dates back nearly a thousand years, with records of their production, procurement, and transportation dating as far back as the Tang Dynasty. These oranges are about the size of ancient copper coins, with bright, shiny skin that is yellow tinged with red—hence the name “Jinqian” (literally “Money”) Orange. Renowned for their excellent quality, they were highly favored by court officials and nobility, and were listed as a tribute fruit for the imperial court. A dedicated “orange official” was appointed in Xing’an Prefecture (modern-day Ankang) to oversee their production and selection for tribute. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, there was a saying: “One boat of oranges down to Ankang, two boats of grain back to Ziyang,” which illustrates the economic value of Ziyang oranges at the time. As a result, Ziyang tribute oranges gained fame across the northwest and became widely renowned.

　　Ziyang Jinqian Oranges are nationally renowned for being “small, thin-skinned, and sweet.” Their cultivation area has now reached 30,000 mu.