Cizhou White Lotus Root

Cizhou White Lotus Root

    Cizhou White Lotus Root, a specialty of Cixian County, Handan City, Hebei Province, is a national agricultural product geographical indication.

Cixian features a temperate continental monsoon climate with distinct seasons, simultaneous rain and heat, abundant sunlight, prominent monsoons, and plentiful rainfall. The annual average effective accumulated temperature is 4227.9°C, the average annual temperature is 13.2°C, the frost-free period lasts 198 days a year, making it suitable for lotus root growth. Cizhou White Lotus Root has thin, pale skin, a slender shape, thick, crisp, and tender flesh that is white as jade, sweet and crisp with a pleasant taste. When cut horizontally, the holes are neatly arranged — one small central hole surrounded by nine larger ones. The main stem typically has four sections, is about 80 cm long, 6–10 cm in diameter, and weighs 3.5 kg per plant.

　Cixian has a long history of lotus root cultivation, and during the Three Kingdoms period, it was listed as a tribute item, overseen by the Lotus Root Official and presented annually to the imperial court. "Lotus on the Imperial Road" is also one of the top ten scenic spots of Cizhou. The late Premier 1 placed great emphasis on it and repeatedly advocated for its vigorous development. The production area of Cizhou White Lotus Root lies in the low-lying areas on both sides of the Fuyang River. The soil in this region is mostly from quiet-water sedimentary parent material or clayey lacustrine quiet-water sediments. The surface layer is mostly medium loam or heavy loam, suitable for cultivating lotus root and rice, earning Cixian the title of the "Lotus Root Hometown" of Hebei Province. Cizhou White Lotus Root is known for being clean-white, long and thick, with thin skin, crisp tenderness, and no residue. It is one of the main local specialties used to entertain guests. On August 3, 2012, the former Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China officially approved the implementation of geographical indication registration and protection for "Cizhou White Lotus Root" as an agricultural product.

      Tips for distinguishing floury lotus root from crispy lotus root

1. Pinch test: Usually, you can't see the holes when buying lotus root. You can use your fingernail to “pinch” the lotus root. If it gives way easily and juice oozes out, it has high water content and is a crispy variety. If it doesn’t give way, it indicates higher starch content and is generally a floury variety.

2. Color: A clean, pale color indicates a crispy lotus root, while a dull yellow and rough appearance suggests a floury one.

3. Taste test: Break off a small piece and try it raw. A crispy and sweet taste indicates a crispy lotus root, whereas a starchy, astringent taste indicates a floury one.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The production area of Cizhou White Lotus Root is located in the northeastern plain of Cixian. Geographic coordinates: longitude 114.38 to 114.48, latitude 36.35 to 36.50, stretching from northeast to southwest. The cultivation area of Cizhou White Lotus Root extends from the urban area of Cizhou Town in the south to Tunzhuang in Huaguanying Township in the north, adjacent to Handan County; from Ducun in Guanglu Town in the west to Nandoungong in Xinzhuangying Township in the east, adjacent to Cheng’an County. It involves 40 administrative villages across five townships in our county: Cizhou Town, Huaguanying Township, Xinzhuangying Township, Guanglu Town, and Gaoyu Town. The area stretches 20 km from north to south and 8 km from east to west, covering a protected area of 45,000 mu, with a planting area of 5,000 mu and an annual output of 8,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

1. External Features: Cizhou White Lotus Root has thin, pale skin, a slender shape, thick, crisp, and tender flesh that is white as jade, sweet and crisp with a pleasant taste. When cut horizontally, the holes are neatly arranged — one small central hole surrounded by nine larger ones. The main stem typically has four sections, is about 80 cm long, 6–10 cm in diameter, and weighs 3.5 kg.  

2. Internal Quality: Cizhou White Lotus Root is rich in protein, starch, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and more. Testing by Beijing PONY Testing International Group Co., Ltd. shows that per 100g of Cizhou White Lotus Root, there are 1.47g of protein, 9.5g of starch, moisture content higher than ordinary lotus root (79.9g), crude fiber <1.2g, total sugar 2.2g, vitamin C >44mg, calcium 21mg, and iron >1.4mg.  

3. Production Safety: The production environment of Cizhou White Lotus Root must comply with NY5238-2005, the requirements for pollution-free aquatic vegetable production. Based on the (NY5238-2005) Pollution-Free Lotus Root Production Technical Regulations, the "Cizhou White Lotus Root Production Operation Procedures" have been established.