BianDangGou Apples

BianDangGou Apples

BianDangGou Apples are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　BianDangGou Town has 17,500 mu of apple orchards. In recent years, the town has vigorously promoted green and pollution-free cultivation, establishing three specialized cooperatives with over 260 member households, involving more than 530 fruit farmers. The regionally registered trademark “BianDangGou Apples” has been launched. Moreover, 6,785 mu of high-quality apple trees have been newly planted, organic apple production standards have been improved, and a 3,000-mu organic apple base has been established. In addition to apple bagging, the town has also promoted unified prevention and control, biological pest control, application of organic fertilizer, and yield control technologies. Han Zenghu, a fruit farmer at the Liangfan Farm in the town, said that they use Yellow River water for irrigation, apply organic fertilizer, and employ biological and physical methods to prevent pests and diseases without using toxic pesticides. They try to avoid using conventional chemical fertilizers as much as possible to ensure all produced apples are organic.

　　Techniques such as biological pest control, physical prevention, organic fertilization, and yield control are not only environmentally friendly but also significantly reduce costs. This has generated a “radiation effect,” prompting fruit farmers from various villages across the town and even from Sunjiatan area to follow suit. Members of the cooperatives strictly adhere to green production operation procedures for standardized production. Violations will lead to the cancellation of their sales contracts with the cooperative. “We are all very cautious,” said Ma Jingdong, a fruit farmer from Group 4 of Shuangjigou Village in the town. “After growing trees for so many years, this is the first time I’ve learned that managing apple trees also has standards.”

　　Fruit produced strictly according to organic apple production standards features bright color, sweet flesh, superior taste, and prices that have increased several times over. It is reported that last year, ordinary apples were sold for only 1.5 yuan per jin, while standard-produced apples averaged around 4 yuan per jin. Income per mu has increased by more than three times compared to the past.

　　BianDangGou Apples

　　Geographic Scope

　　The production area of BianDangGou Apples includes six administrative villages and one Liangfan Farm in BianDangGou Town, Litong District, Wuzhong City. These consist of BianDangGou Village, Fenghuodun Village, Gaomiziwan Village, Shuangjigou Village, Qukou Village, Huangshawo Village, and the Liangfan Farm. BianDangGou is located in the southern part of Litong District, bordered by Baitugang Township of Lingwu City to the east, Qingtongxia to the west, Sunjiatan area to the south, and adjacent to Gaizha Town and Jinyintan Town to the north. It spans longitude 106°05′–106°22′ and latitude 37°–38°08′, covering a total area of 1,088 hectares with an annual output of 25,000 tons. The town itself covers an area of 186 square kilometers.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The fruit is large and either round or oblong in shape. The average weight is 240g, with the largest reaching up to 350g. The size is relatively uniform. The fruit surface is smooth and glossy. The transverse diameter ranges from 75mm to 85mm, with a fruit shape index of 0.80–0.85, classifying it as round or nearly round. The coloring index is 80%–85%. The fruit has a hardness of 7–8 kg/cm², a striking appearance, dense, crisp flesh, abundant juice, and good storability. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Sugar content ranges from 11.8–12.6g/100g, acidity from 0.27–0.32g/100g, and soluble solids content from 10.8–11.9g/100g. The taste is well-balanced between sweet and tart, with a rich aroma. 3. Safety Requirements: The growing environment complies with the NY5013-2006 standard for pollution-free fruit orchard environments; product quality meets the NY5011-2006 standards for pollution-free pome fruits; and the production process follows the control standards outlined in NY/T5012-2002 for pollution-free apple production techniques.