In an unprecedented move for China’s agricultural sector, Wuyi University in Jiangmen has established the nation’s first academic institution entirely dedicated to the study and promotion of a regional specialty: Chenpi, or dried tangerine peel. The newly inaugurated Chenpi School represents a significant commitment to preserving and advancing this cultural heritage through academic rigor.
The institution, situated in Guangdong province’s Pearl River Delta region, will leverage the university’s established strengths in biomedicine and health sciences to conduct comprehensive research on this traditional product. According to the university’s official statement, the school will serve as a crucial research base specifically designed to support local distinctive industries.
The curriculum and research initiatives will be meticulously aligned with the developmental requirements of Xinhui’s renowned chenpi industry. The school aims to achieve breakthroughs in key research areas while facilitating technology commercialization. This multidisciplinary approach will provide substantial talent development and technical support to enhance the industry’s quality-driven growth.
Xinhui district’s chenpi holds national acclaim as both a cultural symbol of the Lingnan region and a traditional remedy valued for its medicinal properties. Generations of local residents have incorporated aged tangerine peel into various aspects of daily life—from therapeutic teas and culinary applications to traditional soups, congee, and preserved fruits. The establishment of this specialized academic institution marks a formal recognition of chenpi’s cultural, economic, and health significance, ensuring its preservation and innovation through scientific advancement.