Basic Introduction to Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerine
Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerine is a specialty citrus fruit from Qingxin County, Guangdong Province. It is renowned for its crisp sweetness, tender flesh, high juice content, seedlessness or few seeds, and the lingering aftertaste. It is widely sold in major cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Harbin, Lanzhou, Shaanxi, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, and beyond. In 2008, after review by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, it was decided that Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines would be protected under national geographical indication product status.
Nutritional Value
The fruits of citrus are rich in nutrients, with excellent color, aroma, and taste. They can be consumed fresh or processed into various products, mainly juices. Citrus production ranks first among all fruits, and citrus juice accounts for three-quarters of all fruit juices, enjoying great popularity among consumers. According to analysis by the Central Institute of Hygiene, every 100 grams of edible parts of citrus contain 0.05 milligrams of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 0.3 milligrams of niacin (vitamin B3), 16 milligrams of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 0.9 grams of protein, 0.1 grams of fat, 12 grams of sugar, 0.2 grams of crude fiber, 0.4 grams of inorganic salts, 26 milligrams of calcium, 15 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.2 milligrams of iron, and 221.9 joules of energy. The content of carotene (precursor to vitamin A) in citrus is second only to apricots and higher than other fruits. Citrus also contains multiple vitamins and elements such as magnesium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and silicon.
Product Characteristics
The Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerine has distinctive characteristics. Its canopy is conical and round, with a diameter of 4-5 meters and a height of 4-5 meters. The root system is well-developed and evenly distributed. The trunk is smooth and brown, with strong branch sprouting ability. The fruit ripens from late November to February. The fruit is nearly round, small, and orange-red, weighing 40-80 grams each. The peel is thin and brittle, about 0.2 centimeters thick. The flesh is orange-yellow, with a soluble solid content of 16% and a ratio of solids to acids of 48.5. It is tender, juicy, sweet, and melts in the mouth, with a honey-like flavor and no seeds. On average, there are 2-3 seeds per fruit, with occasional larger fruits containing 4-5 seeds.
Historical Folklore
The cultivation of Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines in Qingxin County started before the 1970s at the Tian Tang Forestry Farm in Feilai Gorge Town. In 1970, engineers Huang Chisheng and others from the Tian Tang Forestry Farm of Qingxin County achieved preliminary success in their selection and cultivation techniques for Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines. This led to the expansion of tangerine farms outside the forestry farm, stimulating the planting of Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines in other towns, gradually forming a standardized and industrialized farming model.
In the 1980s, with the implementation of the household contract responsibility system, farmers in Qingxin County became more enthusiastic about planting Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines. However, due to a lack of effective guidance, production did not reach a large scale.
By the early 1990s, with the establishment of a market economy, farmers began to change their mindset, adopting a market-oriented approach to agricultural development. Under the leadership of the county party committee and government, they adjusted their agricultural structure and expanded the planting area of Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines. By 2006, the planting area had reached 10,000 hectares.
After 1990, Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerines produced in Qingxin County were marketed under the name “Crisp Rock Sugar Tangerine” and gained a reputation for their exceptional quality.