Fu's Peanuts

Fu's Peanuts

Fu's Peanuts are a protected geographical indication product.

　　Fu's Peanuts, a specialty of Changtu County in Liaoning Province and a China National Geographical Indication product, are named after their origin in Fu's Town of the county. The unique geographical location and climatic conditions produce peanuts that are large in size, thin-skinned, white-fleshed, with clear net patterns, plump texture, and a deliciously fragrant, crispy, and sweet taste. They also feature high protein content, high glutamic acid content, and are free from aflatoxin B1. In 2008, approved by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, Fu's Peanuts were designated as a national-level protected geographical indication product.

　　Planting History

　　　　Fu's Town in Changtu County has a long history of peanut cultivation. According to local chronicles, in 1886 (the 12th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty), a farming family surnamed Fu brought peanuts from Jinan, Shandong to Fu's Village and planted them in sandy soil. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, centered around Fu's, Guyu, and Changfa areas, some residents had begun sporadic peanut cultivation. However, due to continuous warfare in Northeast China during the first half of the 20th century, agricultural production and economic development stagnated or even regressed, making any development in peanut production out of the question.

　　After the liberation and until over 30 years before the reform and opening-up, Fu's Peanuts were limited to small-scale planting by farmers in their own yards, mainly for personal consumption or as gifts for visiting relatives and friends. In the 1980s, as shown in Figure 2 – Fu's Peanut Planting Base

　　Under the influence of the planned economy’s mandatory production quotas, the main field crops in rural Liaobei were still corn. However, some enterprising farmers began small-scale peanut cultivation on their private plots, contracted fields, and reclaimed land. Although the annual peanut planting area at that time was less than 20,000 mu, farmers directly sold them at markets for cash, marking the first step for Fu's Peanuts from a subsistence economy to a commodity economy. By the mid-1990s, a local farmer named Ge Jinyue introduced the first set of peanut sorting equipment from elsewhere, making his first fortune in the peanut industry through rough processing. After 1998, with the establishment and improvement of the market economy system and the liberalization of the agricultural product market, Fu's Peanut production began developing toward industrialization, standardization, mechanization, and modernization. The average yield per mu of Fu's Peanuts reached 300 kilograms. Fu's Town became one of the most important peanut distribution centers in Northeast China.

　　In 2000, Fu's Peanuts registered the “Fujia Yuan” trademark with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce and were subsequently recognized as a municipal famous trademark and a provincial brand trademark. In the early 21st century, the peanut planting area in the town remained stable at around 100,000 mu, accounting for 75% of the arable land. The annual output consistently exceeded 25 million kilograms, with an annual trading volume surpassing 150 million kilograms. The peanuts produced were sold across the country as well as to Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and other regions.

　　Quality Characteristics

　　　　The most famous varieties of Fu's Peanuts are Fu's White and Fu's Red. In the summer of 2007, the Agricultural Product Safety and Environmental Quality Testing Center of the Shenyang Ecological Research Institute in China tested the Bai Sha variety from 10 peanut-producing regions including Liaoning, Shandong, and Henan. The test results showed that Fu's White and Fu's Red contained no detectable levels of arsenic, chromium, or aflatoxin B1, and their levels of harmful substances such as lead, cadmium, and mercury were far below the regulated standards, meeting the Green Food (Grade -) criteria.

　　The test results revealed that compared to the other nine producing areas, Fu's Peanuts have outstanding advantages. First, they have a high crude protein content: Fu's White Peanuts reach 36.9%, and Fu's Red Peanuts reach 35.8%, which is 1.9%–7.9% higher than other regions. Second, they have high glutamic acid content: Fu's White Peanuts contain 6510 mg/100g, and Fu's Red Peanuts contain 6521 mg/100g, both higher than other regions. Third, they have high lysine content: Fu's White Peanuts contain 1242 mg/100g, and Fu's Red Peanuts contain 1256 mg/100g.

　　Growing Environment

　　　　Fu's Town is located between 42°23′N and 43°29′N, right within the internationally recognized “peanut production golden belt” (a narrow zone between 40°N and 45°N). The uniquely cold climate of the north is not conducive to the growth and reproduction of aflatoxin and other pests and diseases, thus ensuring the quality advantage of Fu's Peanuts to the greatest extent.

　　The town is situated at the junction of the Songliao Plain and the Horqin Sandy Land. The soil is predominantly sandy loam, which is highly permeable and suitable for peanuts’ drought-resistant but water-intolerant characteristics. Additionally, due to the nature of sandy soil, the surface dust on peanuts can naturally fall off after drying, leaving the shells clean with a natural luster—unlike peanuts in other regions that require washing after harvest. Moreover, as Fu's area lies on the edge of the Songliao Plain, its soil is not as barren as other sandy regions, providing the necessary soil conditions for producing high-quality peanuts. The Zhaosutai River, the main stream of which flows through Fu's Town, along with abundant groundwater resources at depths of 6 to 30 meters, ensures sufficient water supply for high-quality peanut production.

　　Protected Geographical Indication Product

　　Protected Area

　　　　The protected area for Fu's Peanuts as a geographical indication product is defined according to the scope proposed in the “Letter on Defining the Protected Geographic Area of ‘Fu's Peanuts’” (Chang Zheng Han [2007] No. 6) issued by the People’s Government of Changtu County, Liaoning Province. It includes the following current administrative regions: Yuanda Village, Dadi Village, Youhao Village, Baijiawopu Village, Wufeng Village, You'ai Village, Zhangjiawopu Village, Changshan Village, Tangjiaweizi Village, Fu's Village, Taimin Village, Qiujia Tun Village in Fu's Town, Changtu County; Baolong Sub-farm, Shanhe Sub-farm, Seed Forest Sub-farm of Fu's Forest Farm; Zhujia Village, Laoqujiadian Village, Guojiapingfang Village; as well as Liutangfang Village and Haifeng Village in Sanjiangkou Town, Laodong Village and Yushu Village in Guyushu Town.