Shayar Apocynum Honey

Shayar Apocynum Honey

Shayar Apocynum Honey is a product with geographical indication.

　　Since ancient times, Apocynum has been hailed by the Chinese as a “miracle herb.” Also known as wild hemp, wild tea, tea flower, redflower, red willow seed, or euphorbia hemp, Apocynum is a rare wild plant in the world. It mainly grows in desert saline-alkali lands or sandy areas along riverbanks, valleys, and hillsides, and is found in most northern provinces of China, primarily in the regions inhabited by the “Lop people” ethnic group in Xinjiang (within the deserts of the Tarim River and Kongque River). Due to its growth environment in desert saline-alkali land, with perennial drought and little rainfall, and being entirely wild with no pollution, the Apocynum from the desert regions of Xinjiang is of the highest quality. The earliest indigenous people who once lived in the Lop Nur region were called the Lop people. The Lop people lived near water sources, and centenarians were common among them—vigorous and healthy with sharp hearing and clear vision. It was not unusual for centenarians to become bridegrooms there. “Shayar,” in the Uyghur language, is a transliteration of “Shahayar” or “Shayar” (XaYar). Shayar County’s First and Second Pastoral Farms are adjacent to each other, located in the upper reaches of the Tarim River. The unique natural environment and abundant water resources of the Shayar Apocynum Nature Reserve nurture a wide variety of biological resources. Among them, the wild Apocynum plants are extremely drought-resistant, with roots extending down to 3 meters underground. The Apocynum area in the Second Pastoral Farm covers 350,000 mu. These plants are characterized by concentrated distribution, long flowering periods, high nectar yield, and high sugar content. The Shayar Apocynum Honey produced here is a viscous liquid, amber in color. At room temperature, it flows slowly; at low temperatures, it crystallizes. The product has nourishing, moisturizing, and detoxifying effects.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication of Shayar Apocynum Honey is located 150 kilometers southwest of Shayar County in the Aksu Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It borders Gai'zikumu Township of Shayar County to the east, the Taklamakan Desert to the south, the 14th Regiment of the First Agricultural Division to the west, and Yingmaili Town of Shayar County to the north. The protected area includes: Kabaktuohulake Village, Kasikan Village, Agerituokelake Village, and Xialuotamu Village in the Second Pastoral Farm of Shayar County. The geographical coordinates are between 81°45' and 82°18' east longitude, and 40°39.5' and 41°8.5' north latitude, with an average elevation of 1,013 meters. The total protected area is 23,000 hectares (approximately 350,000 mu), with an annual production of 5 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: At room temperature, Shayar Apocynum Honey is amber in color, viscous or semi-viscous, and presents as a fluid or crystalline substance with good fluidity. Depending on the nectar source plants collected and the season, it may display varying colors from water-white to deep amber. Due to the single variety of nectar source plants, the honey has the distinctive floral fragrance of Apocynum flowers after bee processing. Its floral aroma is pure and refreshing, and the taste is mildly sweet. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Fructose ≥13 (g/100g), Glucose ≥10 (g/100g), Sucrose ≤1–2% (g/100g), Moisture <20–25%, Acidity <4. (3) Safety Requirements: Product quality and safety comply with the standards of NY 5134—2002 “Green Food Honey.”