Basic Introduction to Wenheng Red-Skin Peanuts
The peanuts of Liancheng County, Fujian Province, are famous, and the red-skin peanuts are even more so. There is a folk rhyme that goes: “Red house, red canopy, inside lives a plump red fellow.” Indeed, the Liancheng red-skin peanuts stand out; their full-bodied fruits have a thin skin and are rosy pink from inside to outside. They are fragrantly sweet, crisp, and tender, making them particularly appealing.
The Wenheng red-skin peanuts are a traditional local variety in Liancheng County with a long history of cultivation. Through long-term cultivation selection and the excellent soil and ecological environment, they have developed unique morphological and quality characteristics, becoming an important traditional specialty agricultural product of our county. The Wenheng red-skin peanuts belong to the small pearl bean type variety. Their shells are thin and have clear reticulation, giving them a beautiful appearance. They mainly produce two-seeded pods, with a glossy purple-red seed coat. Freshly eaten, they are crisp, smooth, and fine without residue, while cooked, they are fragrantly sweet and delicious. They not only contain rich fats, proteins, carbohydrates, various vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium but also meet people's dietary nutritional needs well.
The Wenheng Red-Skin Peanut Association actively organizes processing enterprises and specialized cooperatives to participate in agricultural expos, trade fairs, product promotion events, etc., expanding the renown of Wenheng red-skin peanuts. The brand effect of Wenheng red-skin peanuts has gradually become evident, enjoying a good reputation far and wide, and is deeply favored by consumers. The Wenheng red-skin peanuts blend with the deep-rooted cultural history of Liancheng County, becoming a delicacy for daily life, festive family banquets, entertaining guests, and visiting relatives and friends. In 2014, the planting area of Wenheng red-skin peanuts was 14,000 mu (approximately 933 hectares), with a total production of 3,200 tons and a value of 78 million yuan. With the development of the tourism industry in our county and the expansion of the red-skin peanut market, it is expected that by 2018, the planting area will reach 25,000 mu (approximately 1,667 hectares), with a total production of 6,250 tons and a value of 200 million yuan, indicating broad prospects for industrial development.
Geographical Scope
The protected geographical area for Wenheng red-skin peanuts includes: Liancheng County's jurisdiction over Lianfeng Town, Beituanzhen Town, Juxizhen Town, Gutian Town, Pengkouzhen Town, Wenheng Township, Xinquan Township, Linfang Township, Quxizhen Township, Xuanhe Township, Gecuizhen Township, Luofangzhen Township, Sibaozhen Township, Jieliezhen Township, and Tangqianzhen Township, consisting of five towns and ten townships. It is located between 116°32′ and 116°58′ East Longitude and 25°21′ and 25°55′ North Latitude. To the east lies Xiabao Village in Gutian Town; to the west, Qianjin Village in Xuanhe Township; to the south, Beicun Village in Xinquan Town; and to the north, Zhongnan Village in Sibaozhen Township. The widest point from east to west is 37.5 kilometers, and the longest point from north to south is 63.6 kilometers. The total protected land area is 1,860 square kilometers, with a production area of 50,000 mu (approximately 3,333 hectares) and an annual total output of 10,000 tons.
Nutritional Value
The red skin of peanuts can inhibit the dissolution of fibrin, increase the platelet count, improve platelet quality, correct defects in coagulation factors, strengthen the contraction function of capillaries, and promote bone marrow hematopoietic function. Therefore, they have a significant effect on various bleeding disorders and anemias caused by bleeding, aplastic anemia, and other diseases.
Product Characteristics
1. Sensory Features: The Wenheng red-skin peanuts belong to the small pearl bean type variety. The plants are erect and compact, with leaves tending towards an oval shape and a small leaf angle. They grow to around 50 cm in height, with 5-7 branches per plant and 4-5 effective branches. The pods are concentrated, with each plant producing 15-17 pods, a full pod rate of 75-80%, and a double-seeded pod rate of 85-90%. The pods are of the ordinary type, with a hooked nose, thin shell, clear reticulation, and a beautiful, uniform appearance. The fruit is small, with a hundred-pod weight of 120-130 grams and a hundred-seed weight of 50-52 grams. The seeds are shaped like peaches, with a glossy, purplish-red seed coat. Freshly eaten, they are crisp, smooth, and fine without residue; when cooked, they are fragrantly sweet and delicious.
2. Quality Indicators: The crude protein content (using a conversion factor of 5.46) is 25-30%, oil content is ≥40%, and linoleic acid is ≥41%.
3. Safety Requirements: Product quality should comply with the requirements of pollution-free food peanuts (NY5303—2005).