Basic Introduction to Linfen Navel Orange
Linfen Navel Orange, from Linfen County, Sichuan Province, is a product of China's Geographical Indication (agricultural product geographical indication). Linfen County is located in eastern Sichuan, and its unique topography of “three mountains and two valleys,” distinct subtropical monsoon climate, and the nutrient-rich purple soil are conducive to the growth of navel oranges. The Linfen Navel Orange has a round shape with a thin skin, concentrated juice, and a sweet taste. At the Second China Agricultural Expo, the Newhall, Navellin, and Qingjia varieties submitted by Linfen County won gold awards, while Dashiandao and Bailiuxin won silver awards.
Nutritional Value
The navel orange is rich in various nutrients essential for human health. Testing shows that every 100ml of fresh orange juice contains: 207 joules of energy, 0.9g of protein, 0.2g of fat, 203.9mg of amino acids, 0.127mg of vitamin A, 0.08mg of vitamin B1, 0.03mg of vitamin B2, 60mg of vitamin C, and is also rich in calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc. Navel orange juice contains 11-15% soluble solids; each 100ml of juice contains 11.0-13.0g of sugar, 0.80-0.95g of citric acid, and 55-75mg of vitamin C. Additionally, it is rich in vitamins B1, B2, P, carotene, calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, potassium, sodium, as well as (R)-limonene, coumarins, flavonoids, limonoids, carotenoids, glycosyl lipids, pyridones, pectin, and other cancer-preventing substances. It is an excellent health food, and regular consumption can help reduce cholesterol levels, break down fats, prevent the accumulation of heavy metals and radioactive elements in the body, clear heat and nourish the complexion, and have anti-cancer effects, thus prolonging life.
Product Characteristics
The Linfen Navel Orange has a large size and is nearly round in shape, with a neat appearance. Its peel is uniformly orange-colored, medium-thick, and relatively easy to peel. The flesh is orange, crisp, tender, and easy to chew, with abundant juice, fragrant aroma, moderate sweetness and acidity, and a strong flavor. It is seedless, with soluble solids ≥10.5%, total acid (g/100ml) ≤0.9, solid-acid ratio ≥11.5, and edible rate ≥70%.
Historical Folklore
The history of growing citrus fruits in Linfen goes back a long way. According to the Linfen County Annals, there are records of cultivation dating back to 1405. In 1988, Linfen County was designated as a “Sichuan Province Citrus Commercial Production Base County,” and began introducing navel orange cultivation. In 1990, Linfen County conducted trials of foreign navel orange varieties and gradually promoted their development. In 1991, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research Institute led the national Torch Program project “Research on Early, Mid, and Late-Maturing Excellent Citrus Varieties” in Linfen County, which lasted five years and determined the excellent varieties and planting models for citrus cultivation in Linfen. In 1993, Linfen County unified the name of the navel oranges produced within its borders as “Linfen Navel Orange.”
By the end of 2013, the planting area of Linfen Navel Oranges reached 246,000 mu, with 80,000 mu in production, and 50,000 mu at peak fruiting, yielding over 80,000 tons of navel oranges annually, with a value exceeding 500 million yuan. The per capita value of navel oranges alone in the county reached 500 yuan.
By 2019, Linfen County had built 30 standardized orchards of over 1,000 mu and 262 standardized orchards of over 100 mu. The planting area of navel oranges reached 280,000 mu, with 190,000 mu in production. The estimated yield of navel oranges in 2019 was 125,000 tons.
Awards and Honors for Linfen Navel Orange
Linfen Navel Orange has won provincial, ministerial, and national awards for high-quality agricultural products multiple times.
In 1995, it received three gold and two silver awards at the Second China Agricultural Expo.
In 1999 and 2001, it received international brand product certifications at the China International Agricultural Expos twice.
In 2002, “Linfen Navel Orange” was certified as one of the first batch of pollution-free agricultural products by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Agriculture.
In 2004 and 2005, it continued to win the title of “High-Quality Agricultural Products” at the Sichuan-China Western Agricultural Exposition.
In 2007, it was awarded the title of the “First Batch of Famous Agricultural Products in Sichuan Province” by the provincial department of agriculture.
In 2008, it was named “China's Navel Orange Hometown” by the China Fruit Circulation Association.
On July 14, 2009, it was registered and protected according to Announcement No. 1236 of the Ministry of Agriculture, and obtained the registration certificate of the geographical indication for agricultural products of the People's Republic of China.
On September 26, 2013, the former General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine approved the implementation of geographical indication product protection for “Linfen Navel Orange.”