Tianmu Vegetable Bamboo Shoots

Tianmu Vegetable Bamboo Shoots

　　Tianmu bamboo shoots are a variety of medium-culm bamboo cultivated mainly in the Tianmu Mountain area, primarily used for fresh consumption. There are over twenty main varieties of bamboo shoots in Lin’an City, including Thunder bamboo, early bamboo, Moso bamboo, Tianmu early bamboo, stone bamboo, koto bamboo, red bamboo, tall-joint bamboo, dark-feathered bamboo, white-feathered bamboo, pointed-green bamboo, hairy-gold bamboo, light bamboo, water bamboo, wood bamboo, square bamboo, and May bamboo. These bamboo shoots have thin shells, plump flesh, white color, tender texture, a sweetness within their freshness, a fragrant and crisp quality, and are exceptionally delicious when eaten fresh. Among them, Thunder bamboo and tall-joint bamboo shoots are mainly used as vegetables for fresh consumption, hence they are called “vegetable bamboo.” Due to their early sprouting, high price, high yield, and high commercial rate, Thunder bamboo and tall-joint bamboo offer good economic returns. Thunder bamboo is the earliest to sprout among all bamboo varieties, typically from early March. With the use of early-sprouting and high-efficiency techniques, it can produce large quantities of shoots around the Spring Festival period. The sprouting period lasts 60–90 days, and there are also autumn shoots emerging from September to October. Spring shoot yields can reach over 2,000 kilograms per mu, while autumn shoots can yield over 200 kilograms per mu. The price of Thunder bamboo shoots has risen significantly—from 0.57 yuan per 500 grams in 1983 to 2.02 yuan in 1995. For shoots harvested around the Spring Festival, prices increased from 1.6 yuan per 500 grams in 1986 to 17–18 yuan in recent years. According to 1995 statistics, the average yield per mu was 8,000 yuan, with the highest reaching 50,700 yuan. Tall-joint bamboo shoots are flavorful, highly adaptable, and offer both high yield and high output value—typically 1,000–1,500 kilograms per mu, with some reaching over 3,500 kilograms. Yield per mu is over 3,000 yuan, and the sprouting period is from late April to the end of May, making it a relay crop after Thunder bamboo. It is highly favored by both bamboo farmers and consumers. Both Thunder bamboo shoots and tall-joint bamboo shoots are deliciously fresh with a touch of sweetness, and rich in nutrients. They are refreshing and tasty. According to measurements, Thunder bamboo shoots contain 2.7% protein, and tall-joint bamboo shoots contain 2.76% protein—both more than double the protein content of Chinese cabbage. Their fat content is higher than that of common vegetables, while total sugar is lower than in typical vegetables. They have relatively low crude fiber content and are rich in phosphorus, containing 18 types of amino acids. Since 1984, with the promotion and guidance of the Lin’an County Party Committee, County Government, and relevant departments, the cultivation of vegetable bamboo shoots rapidly expanded from just over ten towns to 35 towns, accounting for 89.7% of the county’s 39 towns. The planted area increased from 33,700 mu in 1983 to 155,400 mu in 1995—a 3.61-fold increase—making it the best vegetable bamboo garden in southern China. Production increased from 710.5 tons in 1983 to 46,000 tons in 1995—a 63.7-fold rise. Output value grew from 824,000 yuan in 1983 to 150 million yuan in 1995—a 181-fold increase, accounting for 29% of the total agricultural product value. It stands out as the leading agricultural product in Lin’an and has become a highly profitable industry directly benefiting local farmers. China Forestry News has praised Lin’an bamboo shoots as “the best under heaven.” (Lin’an)