From the field to the oil bottle, a single peanut weaves together the everyday warmth of Chinese dining tables, while also embodying today’s consumers’ relentless pursuit of healthy eating. As the edible‑oil market undergoes an upgrade driven by demands for natural ingredients, traceability, and authentic aroma, peanut oil—once a staple in households—finds itself mired in homogeneous competition. How can this time‑honored flavor be revitalized, and how can premium quality become truly visible? In Jinkou Town, Jimo District, Qingdao, a company with more than three decades of roots in the peanut industry has offered its own answer—through state‑of‑the‑art production lines and bottles of richly aromatic peanut oil.

　　From 1983, when founder Cui Yuzhong rode his bicycle through the streets to collect peanuts, to today, when Qingdao Xuguang Food Co., Ltd. has established a fully integrated, closed-loop industrial chain spanning cultivation, processing, and sales, this entrepreneurial journey of more than three decades is not only a microcosm of individual perseverance but also a reflection of China’s agricultural‑product processing sector as it transitions toward standardization and internationalization. The “Jinkoufang” brand, founded by the company, stands as a testament to its commitment to bringing EU‑level export standards back to the domestic market.

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

　　Heritage: A Contemporary Relay from a Three-Century-Old Oil Mill

　　The name “Jin Kou Fang” derives from the historic Jin Kou Ancient Harbor, a place steeped in local memory. Over three centuries ago, this bustling hub drew merchants from far and wide; the rhythmic clatter of wooden presses at the old oil mills, carried on the sea breeze, wafted the rich aroma of peanut oil into countless homes. Though the ancient harbor has long since quieted, its unwavering commitment to pure, unadulterated flavor has been revived by Jin Kou Fang through modern craftsmanship.

　　At the heart of this legacy lies the unwavering dedication of the company’s founder, Cui Yuzhong, spanning thirty-five years. Joining the industry at seventeen, he began as an independent trader and, over four distinct phases—“rough processing, scaled-up manufacturing, and full‑chain integration”—has remained steadfastly focused on peanuts, resisting the allure of diversification into other sectors. As he put it in an interview with “Credit China”: “A product reflects one’s character; quality is life itself.” It is precisely this almost stubborn commitment that has enabled the company to face high‑standard markets such as the European Union with greater confidence. In 2006, Qingdao Xuguang Food Co., Ltd. was officially established; in 2007, a roasting-and‑peeling production line was commissioned; and in 2023, a traditional, physically pressed peanut oil production line was launched. Each milestone has been carefully timed to coincide with pivotal moments in industrial upgrading—yet the company has never strayed from its core focus on peanuts.

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

　　Quality: A Transparent Supply Chain from Field to Table

　　On the production line at Jin Kou Fang, every single peanut undergoes rigorous sorting. Once high‑quality peanuts of the current season arrive at the facility, they are first subjected to a series of tests—covering aflatoxins, acid value, peroxide value, and more—and only those that pass are allowed onto the intelligent processing line. There, they go through stone removal, impurity elimination, and hulling, followed by steaming and then roasting, culminating in purely physical cold pressing. Throughout the entire process, there is no solvent extraction, no refining, no blending, and no artificial flavorings—ensuring that the peanuts’ natural nutrients and aroma are fully preserved. Even more remarkable, the entire production process is transparent and traceable: each bottle can be traced back to its raw‑material origin, the date of pressing, and the results of external inspections, giving consumers peace of mind when they eat, confidence in their use, and reassurance for the whole family.

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

(Selected after dehulling of oil-extracted peanut kernels)

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

(Thorough testing and analysis)

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

　　This relentless pursuit of quality stems from the company’s years of experience serving international markets. Beginning exports to Southeast Asia in 2003, and securing EU registration in 2013 to focus on the European market, the company now reaches more than 20 European countries. HACCP food‑safety certification, EU organic certification, UK BRC certification—behind this stack of credentials lies a deep understanding that “the stricter the quality standards, the greater the competitive edge.” This conviction is being applied wholeheartedly to the development of the Jin Kou Fang brand.

　　At present, the Jin Kou Fang series encompasses a wide range of product categories, including organic peanut oil, high-oleic peanut oil, black peanut oil, as well as plain‑fragrance, mellow‑fragrance, and rich‑fragrance peanut oils, along with various peanut snacks and processed peanut products. Notably, the raw materials for its organic peanut oil are sourced from proprietary farms in Fuyu and Qian Guo in Jilin Province, and the brand has obtained both organic conversion certification and EU organic certification, ensuring end-to-end traceability from field to table.

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

　　 Circulation: Getting Every Last Bit Out of a Single Peanut

　　In Jin Kou Fang’s view, quality is not only reflected in the finished oil but also permeates every step of by-product processing. After pressing, the peanut cake is carefully collected and ground into peanut protein powder for use in a wide range of food‑processing applications. This “leverage every last bit” approach to circular utilization not only demonstrates a deep respect for natural resources but also underscores the company’s ability to maintain end‑to‑end control across the entire value chain. Precisely because the raw materials are exceptionally pure, the by‑products command greater added value. From another perspective, this approach reaffirms the company’s reverence for every single peanut—throughout the entire process, from cultivation and procurement to processing and sales, there is not the slightest waste and not the faintest hint of carelessness.

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

　　 Perseverance: A Grand Story Within a Small Peanut

　　In today’s market, an increasing number of consumers are willing to pay for products that embrace simplicity and authenticity. While smart technology certainly delivers speed and convenience, when it comes to food, people still crave a sense of groundedness—a connection to nature. Jinkoufang Peanut Oil adheres to modern management practices to preserve traditional flavors and upholds international standards to ensure the quality of everyday staples, perfectly addressing this growing consumer expectation.

　　Upholding time-honored methods, crafting authentic aromas: Jin Kou Fang safeguards table‑side health through physical pressing and end-to-end quality control.

　　Today, Cui Yuzhong, now in his sixties, remains actively engaged on the production front. When asked why he continues to invest so deeply in this “small industry,” despite constraints on peanut‑oil raw materials and meager profit margins, his response is both simple and resolute: “Because the more people who understand oil, the bigger the market becomes.” Under his leadership, Xuguang Food now processes over 30,000 tons of peanuts annually, with its products exported to Europe and Southeast Asia, and it has established long‑term partnerships with numerous major domestic food companies. Looking ahead, the company will continue to deepen its commitment to the peanut industry, refine its integrated value chain, and bring the authentic, unadulterated aroma of this time‑honored tradition—rooted in the ancient port of Jinkou—to households across China.