Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples

Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples

Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples are a protected geographical indication product.

　　What a magnificent and breathtaking sight it is when, with a single night’s breeze, tens of thousands of apple blossoms burst into bloom all at once? This happens right here on the land of Liaoning, in Liaozhong. Nestled in the very heart of the Liaohe River Plain, Liaozhong boasts fertile soil rich in water and nutrients. It combines the delicate beauty of southern water towns with the vast openness of northern plains. The “Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apple” is a new apple variety with independent intellectual property rights developed under these unique natural conditions. It is a distinctive local product of Liaozhong County. The fruit is large in size, short and cylindrical in shape, neat and attractive in appearance, with crisp, juicy flesh that is not only sweet and tangy with a rich aroma but also packed with high nutritional content.

　　Product Overview

　　Product Name: Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples

　　National Announcement Number: AQSIQ Announcement No. 174, 2011

　　Protected Area: The current administrative region of Liaozhong County, Liaoning Province

　　Geographical Environment

　　Fertile plains and soil make the Cold-Flesh Apples shine brightly in Liaozhong. As an ecological water town and a coastal wetland corridor, Liaozhong not only boasts stunning scenery but also abundant local produce and rich resources. The abundance of Cold-Flesh Apples in this region is due to its special geographical location and superior growing environment, which have made them famous across the nation and even around the world.

　　Liaozhong County is located in central Liaoning, southwest of Shenyang, in the heart of the Shenyang Economic Zone. It is the area of Shenyang closest to the seaport, serving as Shenyang’s gateway to the outside world and a golden hub of the Shenyang Economic Zone. It acts as a diamond node connecting the Shenyang Economic Zone with the coastal economic belt. The county spans longitude 122°28′ to 123°6′ east and latitude 41°12′ to 42°47′ north. It is home to several rivers including the Liaohe, Hunhe, Puhe, and Raohe, ensuring abundant water resources. The Liaohe River is the largest river within Liaozhong County. The area has relatively high average humidity, giving rise to a unique microclimate along the Liaohe.

　　The geological structure of Liaozhong belongs to the lower Liaohe inland fault depression, forming part of the Quaternary lower Liaohe alluvial plain. The land is fertile, water is abundant, and the regional climate is distinct. The soil is sandy loam, with moderate physical clay content. Its properties lie between sandy and clay soils — not too sandy nor too sticky — resulting in loose, well-cultivated soil that provides an aerated environment ideal for the growth of Cold-Flesh Apples, an essential soil condition for producing high-quality apples. The groundwater level in Liaozhong is moderate, the soil layer is deep, and soil fertility is high. The average levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are very suitable for apple cultivation and comply with the standards for pollution-free apple production.

　　Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples benefit from the region’s geographical environment, and in turn, Liaozhong has gained fame as a nationally renowned production base for Cold-Flesh Apples.

　　Cultural Background

　　Apples grew in the mountains and wilderness long before humans existed, serving as food for many primitive animals and later for humans. According to relevant sources, apples evolved and developed almost alongside humans. In the early stages of human development, apples essentially served as a food source.

　　Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples were developed through the improvement and grafting of premium apple varieties, achieving unprecedented advancements in nutritional value. Cultivated specifically for the land of Liaozhong, these apples are not only resilient and capable of continuous fruiting but also exhibit a high fruit-setting rate on their inflorescences. This resilience is supported by careful cultivation practices: first, orchard site selection prioritizes fertile soil, deep active soil layers, moderate water levels, good humidity maintenance, and a soil pH of 6–8. Dwarf high-graft saplings are used, with mountain peach or crabapple as the rootstock, following a three-year seedling cycle. Planting density is set at 2 meters × 3 meters. Regarding pollination trees, Cold-Flesh Apples have strong self-pollination capabilities and can meet fruit-setting needs without additional pollinators, though if used, pollinator varieties should have compatible flowering periods, high pollen yield, and strong affinity — ideally in a ratio of 4:1 to 8:1. The optimal planting period is autumn, with site preparation done in pits or furrows. In spring, around Qingming Festival, selected graded saplings are planted. For soil and water management, deep plowing is performed — both hole-expanding and full-orchard plowing — combined with base fertilizer application after autumn harvest. Organic fertilizer is mixed into the soil with surface soil placed at the bottom and subsoil on top, followed by ample watering to ensure close contact between roots and soil. For cultivation, timely hoeing maintains loose, weed-free soil. Hoeing depth is 5–10 cm to regulate temperature and retain moisture. Mulching with materials such as wheat straw, corn stalks, or rice straw is done after spring fertilization and watering. The fertilization principle emphasizes organic fertilizer supplemented by chemical fertilizer to maintain or enhance soil fertility and microbial activity. Fertilizers used should not negatively impact the orchard environment or fruit quality. Early spring budding and shoot growth require timely irrigation; during the flowering period, moderate pre-bloom watering can significantly improve fruit set, but excessive irrigation should be avoided. During young fruit enlargement, timely watering increases fruit size and boosts both yield and fruit texture. Autumn watering helps prevent winter drought-induced damage. For fruit and flower management, manual thinning is required, maintaining a leaf-to-fruit ratio of 40:1 or one fruit per four to five growing points. Single fruit retention is preferred for bagging. Before bagging, a broad-spectrum fungicide spray is applied. Both paper bags (single or double-layered) and film plastic bags are used.

　　Cold-Flesh Apples bud in mid-April, flower in May, and ripen in early October. The fruit is short and cylindrical, neat in shape, large in size, particularly notable for its vibrant red color that covers the entire surface. The skin has a medium-thick, glossy wax layer. The core is small. The flesh is light yellow, crisp and juicy, with a rich sweet-tart flavor, offering a refreshing taste that is enjoyable time and again.

　　Brand Development

　　High-Tech Leads the Standardization of the Fruit Industry

　　To date, the cultivation area of Cold-Flesh Apples in Liaozhong County has exceeded 100,000 mu, with over 30,000 mu entering peak production. Annual output surpasses 120,000 tons, generating a production value of over 600 million yuan and increasing fruit farmers’ income by nearly 10,000 yuan per household. The industry has now formed a complete production chain: cultivated in dedicated bases, produced to standards, branded, supported by expert techniques, supplied with unified production materials, serviced by associations and specialized cooperatives, marketed through established channels, and certified as pollution-free. Liaozhong has become a nationally renowned Cold-Flesh Apple production base.

　　On September 28, 2006, the People’s Government of Liaozhong County held a field meeting at Longwan Cold-Flesh Apple Orchard in Liaozhong. At the meeting, Zhang Likui, a major grower, proposed unifying the name of Cold-Flesh Apples produced within Liaozhong County as “Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples,” a suggestion that was widely endorsed. Since then, the cultivation and development of Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples have grown rapidly. In 2008, they were certified as Grade A Green Food by the China Green Food Development Center. In 2010, they were named “Most Popular Agricultural Product” at the First Shenyang Local Specialty Product Fair and again at the Sixth China Liaoning (Shenyang) International Agricultural Expo.

　　The Liaozhong County Government has invested over 10 million yuan to establish a research and development center and a technology promotion center for Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples. These centers focus on variety purification and rejuvenation, breeding high-quality seedlings, and demonstrating and promoting best practices. The R&D center achieves new results annually, providing fresh momentum for Cold-Flesh Apple production. Strong collaborations have been forged with institutions such as Shenyang Agricultural University and various provincial and municipal academies of agricultural sciences, establishing long-term technical partnerships. A team of fruit tree experts has been engaged to form a lecture group that provides ongoing guidance in rural areas, addressing production challenges and training a specialized local farmer workforce. The government has also funded training for some farmers at Shenyang Agricultural University, cultivating over 50 science and technology leaders.

　　To strengthen quality management of Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples, the county government has established local production standards covering technical foundations, origin environments, varieties, product quality, operational procedures, inspection methods, product labeling, packaging, and storage. These standards ensure consistent product quality. Additionally, the government has formed a Cold-Flesh Apple Association and a technology service team to provide farmers with integrated production, supply, and sales services. The association currently has over 2,800 members.

　　The development and application of Cold-Flesh Apples in fruit production have ended the long-standing inability to cultivate premium apples in the cold regions of Northeast China. Currently, Liaozhong County has been designated as the main production area and base for Cold-Flesh Apples in the 12th Five-Year Plans for the forestry and fruit industries of both Liaoning Province and Shenyang City, indicating promising industrial prospects and economic benefits. Furthermore, fruit industry operators have launched new research projects. After years of study and experimentation, they successfully pioneered greenhouse potted fruit cultivation. This breakthrough not only prevents the negative effects of pesticide drift from farmers’ spraying but also enhances the environmental friendliness of the fruit. It has rapidly increased the output value of Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples. Moreover, the mobility of potted trees allows for controlled environmental and temperature conditions, enabling year-round flowering and fruiting regardless of season. As a result, Liaozhong Cold-Flesh Apples have become a nationally renowned fruit industry attraction.

　　Knowledge Link

　　The “General Practitioner” Among Fruits

　　While many people are familiar with the nutritional value of apples, fewer may know about their medicinal benefits. The medicinal use of apples dates back to the Tang Dynasty. Apples are sweet and cool in nature. They not only nourish the heart and boost energy but also promote saliva production and relieve thirst. They also moisten the lungs, delight the heart, stimulate appetite, and help sober up. Modern medical research shows that cancer patients benefit from eating more apples to replenish potassium and reduce side effects. Expectant mothers who consume apples regularly can supplement vitamins and other nutrients while maintaining the balance of water, salt, and electrolytes, preventing acidosis caused by frequent vomiting.

　　In Liaozhong folklore, there’s a saying: “One Cold-Flesh Apple a day keeps the doctor away, and one a day keeps you healthier than Hua Tuo.” This small fruit is like a nutrition master — delighting the palate while promoting health. No wonder apples consistently rank at the top of the fruit list.