Ji’an Honey

Ji’an Honey

Ji’an Honey is a product certified with a Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products.

　　Ji’an is not only rich in natural resources but also boasts a long history, profound culture, and impressive human landscapes. In 2004, it was designated as a “World Cultural Heritage Site” by UNESCO. Over two thousand years ago, the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom established its capital in Ji’an, leaving behind a wealth of cultural relics and historical documents. Among the most representative artifacts are the Haotaiwang Stele, known as the “Number One Stele in the East Sea,” and the General’s Tomb, often referred to as the “Pyramid of the East.” The Haotaiwang Stele features a total of 1,775 characters, recording the mythical origins and founding legends of the Goguryeo Dynasty, as well as the military exploits of King Haotaiwang, the 19th ruler. The General’s Tomb is the mausoleum of the 20th king, King Changshouwang. It stands 12.4 meters high with a square base measuring 31.58 meters on each side, constructed from 1,100 large stone slabs. Ji’an City is abundant in nectar sources and has a long history of beekeeping. The "Beimeng Lu" (Record of Northern Alliances) states, “The Jurchens produce famous horses, ginseng, beeswax, and fine cloth. Their cuisine values oil-boiled noodles mixed with honey, called chaishi, which is only served to show great respect.” The Jurchens often traded goods such as gold, silk, honey, wax, and medicinal herbs in markets with merchants from Bohai, the Southern Song, and Goryeo. According to the "Zao Song Hui Dian Guan. Qing Ce," it is recorded: “Bees are found in the mountains, commonly called honeybees. Locals dig hives in large trees in the mountains to raise them and harvest honey.” As a royal tribute, harvested honey was carefully sealed and sent to the capital for imperial inspection before being stored in the Inner Fruit Room of the Imperial Household Department. In January 1914 (the third year of the Republic of China), Ji’an participated in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition with products such as honey and beeswax. In September 1915, the Jishenghe Pharmacy, representing Tonghua, exhibited one jin of “Shuangmi” (frost honey) and ten jin of “Xuela” (snow wax) at the Beijing Commodity Exhibition Hall. In 1930 (the 19th year of the Republic of China), Liu Ming, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Mines of Fengtian Province, told the "Shengjing Times": “Given the growing prosperity of beekeeping in the northeast, which has almost become a sideline for farmers, in addition to establishing beekeeping companies, we plan to set up a beekeeping school in the provincial capital to train professionals.” Currently, Ji’an City has over 40,000 beehives, producing thousands of tons of bee products annually, making it a major distribution hub for bee products in the Changbai Mountain region.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The Ji’an Beekeeping Association of Jilin Province applied for the geographical indication product name “Ji’an Honey.” The designated geographical indication area covers the administrative regions governed by Ji’an City, within the longitude range of 125°45′–126°30′ and latitude range of 40°52′–41°35′ where honey is produced.

　　Product Quality and Characteristic Features

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Ji’an acacia honey is an extra-light yellow color with a fresh fragrance, sweet and smooth taste, and a gentle yet long-lasting aroma. It has a long aftertaste and is not prone to crystallization. Basswood honey, when freshly harvested, is an extra-light amber color with a distinctive minty fragrance. It tastes sweet and fragrant, with a soft and lasting aroma and a prolonged aftertaste. When the external temperature drops below 13°C, it begins to crystallize. Once fully crystallized, basswood honey becomes pure white and delicate, with a smooth, butter-like texture and even better flavor. It is famously known as “Jilin White Honey” and enjoys a high reputation nationwide. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: The production environment of Ji’an Honey meets the requirements of the Green Food Production Environment Quality Standard NY/T391-2000. Ji’an Honey complies with the GB14963-2011 Honey Standard and the NY/T752 Green Food Honey Standard. Over the years, Ji’an Honey has passed all quality inspections conducted by various regulatory bodies in Jilin Province, with both physicochemical and microbiological indicators meeting the requirements of these two standards. In addition to fulfilling the above standards, Ji’an Honey contains unique nutritional substances. Testing results show that Ji’an Honey includes the following nutrients: riboflavin content between 80–100 μg/100g, vitamin C content between 3–5 mg/100g, potassium content between 20–200 mg/100g, and calcium content between 2–20 mg/100g. 3. Safety Requirements: Ji’an Honey meets all the requirements of the latest edition of the National Food Safety Standard for Honey (GB14963-2011). These requirements are as follows: Sensory Requirements: Color varies from water-white (nearly colorless) to dark (dark brown) depending on the nectar source, with distinct taste and aroma, no off-odors, and a viscous fluid consistency at room temperature, or partially or fully crystallized. When observed under natural light, the product must not contain bee limbs, larvae, wax fragments, or impurities visible to the naked eye (except for comb honey). Physicochemical Requirements: Fructose and glucose content (g/100g) ≥ 60 Sucrose content (g/100g) ≤ 5 Zinc (Zn) (mg/kg) ≤ 25 Microbiological Indicators: Total plate count (CFU/g) ≤ 1000 Coliforms (MPN/g) ≤ 0.3 Mold count (CFU/g) ≤ 200 Osmophilic yeast (CFU/g) ≤ 200 Salmonella 0/25g Shigella 0/25g Staphylococcus aureus 0/25g