Yipan Hops

Yipan Hops

Yipan Hops is a product with a geographical indication.

　　The Yipan Hops Farm is located in Yipan Town, Shangzhi City, in the southeastern part of Heilongjiang Province. It is China’s oldest hops plantation and the birthplace of domestic hops production. According to the newly compiled *Shangzhi County Annals*, around 1900 (the 26th year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty), Russians were the first to plant hops in Yipan. In 1904 (the 30th year of the Guangxu reign), when the Russians established the Zhongdong Brewery in Yipan, all the hops used came from this area. After the founding of the Republic of China, in 1921, the Russians set up the “Liebahua Workshop” (hops farm) in Yipan, beginning large-scale cultivation and roasting processes. After the occupation of Northeast China, it was acquired by the “Damanzhou Hubumaijiu Joint Stock Company” in 1934. Following the victory of the September 3rd Anti-Japanese War in 1945, it was taken over by the Zhuhe County (now Shangzhi City) government as part of the Yipan Liquor Factory. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the hops planting area continued to expand. In 1956, it was renamed the Yipan Hops Farm and designated by the Ministry of Light Industry as a key hops cultivation base. Gradually, investments were made to install drying workshops. In the early 1960s, hops were exported to West Germany, where 1 ton of dried hops were traded for 36 tons of high-quality steel. The nursery stock and production techniques provided by this farm helped develop hops production in places such as Xinjiang. In 1985, it was converted into the hops workshop of the Yipan Brewery, covering an operating area of over 700 acres. In 1987, it produced 51.7 tons of dried hops.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Shangzhi City is located in the southeastern part of Heilongjiang Province, on the western foothills of the Zhangguangcai Mountain Range. The city administers 10 towns, 7 townships, and 162 administrative villages, with a total population of 620,000, including 300,000 agricultural residents. The geographical indication protection area for Yipan Hops spans between 127°17'–129°12' east longitude and 44°29'–45°34' north latitude. It primarily includes 17 townships within Shangzhi, namely Yipan Town, Laojieji Township, Yabuli Town, Shitouhezi Town, Lianghe Town, Qingyang Town, Mao’ershan Town, Weihe Town, Changshou Township, Heilonggong Town, Yuanbao Town, Shangzhi Town, Wujimi Township, Yuchi Township, Hedong Township, Mayan Township, and Zhenzhu Mountain Township. The protected area covers 891,000 hectares, with 2,000 hectares dedicated to Yipan Hops cultivation and an annual yield of 5,000 tons, making it one of the country’s well-known hops-producing regions.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Product Features. The Shangzhi region has distinct microclimates with significant day-night temperature variations, which are conducive to hops growth and nutrient development. The main root of Yipan hops is block-shaped, while lateral roots are strip-like. The main vine grows 3–6 meters long. Lateral branches grow and sprawl along the main vine. The leaves are dark green, hairy, heart-shaped, and serrated at the edges. The flowering period is from July to September. In autumn and winter, the stems and leaves gradually dry and shed, while the roots naturally overwinter underground. 2. External Sensory Features. Yipan hops are dioecious, with both male and female flowers forming spikes when in full bloom. The fruit spikes are cone-shaped, 3–4 cm long and 1.5–2.5 cm in diameter. The bracts are arranged imbricately, numbering about 45, mostly scattered, broadly ovate or ovate-lanceolate, with the base wrapping around a single fruit. The fruit is nearly spherical, with a textured surface, a short tip at the top, reddish powdery particles attached to the outer base, yellow glands, and a fragrant aroma. 3. Internal Quality Indicators. As a fundamental raw material in beer production, the main chemical components of Yipan hops include protein content greater than 17%, fat greater than 11g/100g, and crude fiber greater than 18%. 4. Safety Requirements. The production process of Yipan hops strictly adheres to the standards of pollution-free food management, and a food safety traceability system is implemented to ensure the traceability of food safety.