Dayao Walnut in Chuxiong
Overview
Dayao Walnut (大姚核桃) is a specialty product of Dayao County (大姚县) in Yunnan Province (云南省), China, and is recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product by the National Quality Supervision Bureau (国家质检总局). Dayao walnuts are known for their unique quality, with nuts that are oval in shape, tightly sewn, and filled with plump, white kernels. The taste is sweet and aromatic, with minimal bitterness. The key quality indicators include a dry fruit weight of ≥8g, a kernel yield of ≥45%, crude fat content of ≥65%, and protein content of ≥15%.
In August 2015, the former National Quality Supervision Bureau approved Dayao Walnut for GI protection.
Product Name:
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Chinese Name: 大姚核桃
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English Name: Dayao Walnut
Origin:
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Origin: Dayao County, Yunnan Province, China
Approval Details:
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Geographical Indication: Approved by the National Quality Supervision Bureau on August 10, 2015 (Document No. 2015 No. 96).
Product Features
The walnuts produced in Dayao County have distinctive characteristics. The nuts are oval-shaped, with tightly-seamed shells and white, full kernels. The taste is sweet, with a mild bitterness.
Physical and Chemical Indicators:
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Dry fruit weight: ≥8g
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Kernel yield: ≥45%
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Crude fat content: ≥65%
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Protein content: ≥15%
Geographic Environment
Terrain and Topography
Dayao walnuts are produced in Dayao County, which is located in the eastern part of the Hengduan Mountain Range (横断山系), within the Yunling Mountains (云岭) of Yunnan. The region is deeply cut by the Jinsha River (金沙江) and the Yubao River (渔泡江), forming a mountain plateau. The area is a transitional zone between the eastern plateau and the lower lands. The mountains of Dayao run from northwest to southeast, with the highest peak being Baicao Ridge (白草岭), reaching an altitude of 3,657 meters (12,000 feet). This peak is the highest in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (楚雄彝州), earning the title of “Yi’s First Peak” (彝州第一峰).
The county has three major types of terrain:
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Highland mountainous areas above 2,500 meters.
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Hilly and flat valley areas between 1,800 and 2,100 meters.
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Jinsha River valley areas, with altitudes between 1,000 and 1,500 meters.
Climate Characteristics
Dayao County lies in the Northern Subtropical Monsoon Climate Zone (北亚热带季风气候区). The climate is mild with distinct wet and dry seasons. The average annual temperature is 15.6°C, with July averaging 21.4°C and January averaging 9.3°C. The area has a long frost-free period, and the annual rainfall averages 796.3mm. These favorable climatic conditions are well-suited for walnut cultivation.
Historical Background
According to the Yi ethnic group’s (彝族) historical text “Meige” (《梅葛》), walnut trees have existed in Dayao since the “creation of the universe, the opening of the heavens, and the creation of humans and all things.”
In the 11th year of the Ming Dynasty’s Chongzhen Era (1638), Xu Xiake (徐霞客) passed through Dayao and mentioned the walnuts in his travel notes.
In 1998, Dayao County established a walnut dry fruit production base.
Production Information
As of 2014, Dayao County has 1.54 million acres of walnut plantations, with an annual production of 21,000 tons. The county has 29 large-scale walnut production bases covering over 10,000 acres and four walnut seedling bases. The total annual sales of walnuts amount to 678 million yuan (approximately $100 million), with an average income of 3,131 yuan per farmer.
Product Honors
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In 1983, Dayao walnuts were recognized as an export quality product by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (外经贸部).
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In 2000, Dayao walnuts received EU Organic Food Certification.
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In 2009, Dayao walnuts were granted the Geographical Indication Certification by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (国家工商总局).
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In August 2015, the former National Quality Supervision Bureau approved the Geographical Indication protection for Dayao walnuts.
Geographical Indication
Geographic Protection Area
Dayao walnuts are produced within Dayao County’s administrative regions, including:
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Jinbi Town (金碧镇)
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Shiyang Town (石羊镇)
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Liujia Town (六苴镇)
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Longjie Town (龙街镇)
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Zhaojiadian Town (赵家店镇)
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Xinjie Town (新街镇)
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Guihua Town (桂花镇)
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Sanchahe Town (三岔河镇)
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Tanhua Township (昙华乡)
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Wanbi Township (湾碧乡)
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Santai Township (三台乡)
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Tiesuo Township (铁锁乡)
Quality Technical Requirements
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Variety: The local “Santai Walnut” (三台核桃) is the preferred variety, a high-quality and asexually propagated strain.
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Growing Conditions:
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Elevation: 1,600 to 2,400 meters
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Soil Type: Brown soil (棕壤), purple soil (紫色土)
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Soil Organic Content: ≥2%
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pH: 5.5 to 7
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Cultivation Techniques:
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Seedling: Use local iron-husk walnut seedlings (铁核桃) for grafting.
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Planting: Planting density ≤180 trees per hectare.
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Fertilization: Use well-decomposed organic fertilizers, with ≥50kg per tree annually.
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Environmental and Safety Requirements: The use of pesticides and fertilizers must comply with national regulations to avoid environmental pollution.
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Harvesting
Walnuts are harvested in the period around the “White Dew” (白露) solar term. When the walnut skin turns dark and cracks 70% of the time, they are ready for harvest.
Use of the Geographical Indication Product Logo
Producers within the Dayao walnut production areas can apply to the Dayao County Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision for the use of the Geographical Indication product logo. Upon review and approval by the provincial quality supervision bureau and the National Quality Supervision Bureau, they will be authorized to use the logo.
On July 6, 2020, the National Intellectual Property Office approved Dayao Guangyi Development Co., Ltd. (大姚广益发展有限公司), Dayao Ziqiu Bee Industry Co., Ltd. (大姚紫丘蜂业有限责任公司), and Dayao Jiahe Natural Food Development Co., Ltd. (大姚家和天然食品开发有限责任公司) to use the Dayao Walnut geographical indication logo.
