Basic Introduction to Wendeng Large Peanuts
Wendeng District is located in the north temperate zone and has a continental monsoon climate. Here, it borders the Yellow Sea to the south and the Kunyu Mountains to the north, with distinct seasons, 2,540.7 hours of annual sunshine, and a frost-free period of 194 days, creating a unique microclimate that meets all the elements for high-quality crop growth. The large peanuts produced here are known for their large size, white skin, full seeds, bright color, sweet taste, crispness without greasiness, and excellent quality, renowned nationwide. Currently, Wendeng is one of the top ten peanut-producing counties (cities) in China and has been designated by the state as a national peanut export base county, peanut seed multiplication base county, and commodity oilseed production base county. It has also been named the “National Large Peanut Hometown” by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Wendeng large peanuts have always been famous nationwide for their excellent quality, with high contents of oleic acid, vitamins, phospholipids, sugar, and protein, as well as no heavy metals, few impurities, low moisture, and low pesticide residues. Whether eaten raw or cooked, they have the effects of stimulating appetite, tonifying the spleen, beautifying the complexion, anti-aging, preventing anemia, and treating stomach diseases, thus being known as the “fruit of longevity.” The planting of Wendeng large peanuts mainly involves spring sowing and wheat intercropping with mulch cultivation. The main varieties planted include 91-18, 8130, and Luhua 10, all typical export large peanuts. The production of peanuts gradually improves the production procedures for non-polluting green food. There are six series with over 60 types of peanut products. The export volume ranks first among counties in China. In particular, the “Kunyu” brand roasted large peanuts and the “Yongsheng” brand peanut oil enjoy a good reputation both at home and abroad. The “Kunyu” brand roasted large peanuts are carefully processed using advanced technology, with the effects of nourishing the complexion, strengthening the body, prolonging life, and easy consumption, along with a delicious aroma and unique flavor, making them ideal gifts for relatives and friends and perfect for travel and vacations.
Geographical Scope
The geographical protection area for Wendeng large peanuts is located between 121°43′ and 122°19′ east longitude and 36°52′ and 37°16′ north latitude. It is situated in eastern Shandong Peninsula, west of the Kunyu Mountains, bordering the Yantai City's Muping District and Rushan City to the west, connected to Weihai City's Huancui District to the north, adjacent to Rongcheng City to the east, and facing the Yellow Sea to the south. It covers 687 administrative villages across 15 towns (offices) development zones within Wendeng City, from Dianzitou Village in Jieshi Town to the north; Gushi Village in Dashuipo Town to the east; Qian Dao Village in Zeku Town to the south; and Xitanjia Kou Village in Gejia Town to the west, with a protected planting area of 21,333 hectares.
Product Characteristics
1. Sensory Features: Wendeng large peanuts are known for their excellent quality, large grains, bright colors, crispness, sweetness, non-greasiness, and lack of aflatoxin. They provide various nutrients required by the human body and are very beneficial to health when consumed regularly. Freshness: fresh, clean, with clear pod net patterns and bright seed coat colors. No abnormal extraneous moisture, pods and kernels exhibit basic characteristics of the variety. Color: possesses the inherent color of the variety, with the processed peanut oil having a strong aroma and a high oleic/linoleic acid ratio. Flavor: possesses the characteristic flavor of the variety and can be processed into blanched kernels, peanut fruits, graded kernels, fried peanuts, flavored peanuts, and other series of products. Decay: no rotten pods, decayed fruits, insect-eaten fruits, sprouted fruits, or kernels. Uniformity: fruit weight varies according to different requirements.
2. Nutritional Quality Indicators: The main nutrient component of Wendeng large peanuts is fat, with a content above 40%; the protein content ranges from 21.06 to 34.75%. Peanut kernels are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin E. Peanut kernels contain abundant calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients, with 20 to 80 mg of calcium per 100g and 250 to 660 mg of phosphorus per 100g. Peanut kernels also provide eight essential amino acids for humans, as well as lecithin, choline, carotene, crude fiber, and other substances beneficial to health. The content of unsaturated fatty acids is around 80% (with oleic acid content ranging from 23.9 to 59.7%, linoleic acid content ranging from 22.29 to 43.25%, and an O/L ratio above 1.6), while the content of saturated fatty acids is around 20% (including palmitic acid 6 to 11% and stearic acid 2 to 6%). These are very beneficial to human health, with nutritional values not inferior to milk, eggs, or lean meat, and have a significant advantage in terms of storage and transportation.
3. Safety Requirements: “Wendeng Large Peanuts” must meet the hygiene standards of the Ministry of Agriculture's “Green Food Peanuts” NY/T420-2009.
Historical Folklore
According to historical records, the large-grained peanut variety cultivated in Wendeng today was introduced to the Yantai and Penglai areas at the end of the Qing Dynasty and later became widely promoted, with a history of more than one hundred years. The 1933 “Jiaojie Railway Economic Survey Report” stated: “The grain produced in Wendeng County is insufficient for self-sufficiency and needs to rely on external grain for supplementation. However, peanuts, Chinese cabbage, oak silkworm cocoons, etc., still have a surplus each year, with the annual value of sales to Weihai reaching 8.5 million yuan, enabling rural economies to make up for deficiencies.” In 1936, the total production of Wendeng peanuts reached 11.855 million kg, with a yield of 88.5 kg per mu and an average of 26 kg per capita. By 1985, peanut production reached its highest level in history, with a total output of 99,975 tons.
Awards and Honors
Currently, Wendeng has 22,050 acres of non-polluting peanut bases and 11,000 acres of green food certified peanut bases. In 2011, Wendeng large peanuts received geographic indication registration protection from the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2012, “Wendeng Large Peanuts” won the title of “One of the Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Agricultural Product Regional Public Brands in China” awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2015, it was selected as “One of the Top 100 Most Loved Chinese Agricultural Product Regional Public Brands in 2015.”