Lotus Roots from Zepan

Lotus Roots from Zepan

Lotus roots from Zepan are a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Zepan Village is an ancient settlement on the culturally rich land of Tangyao, featuring typical wetland conditions ideal for growing both large and small white lotus roots. The Longyao Zepan lotus root is a variety of large white lotus root, with a snow-white, jade-like appearance. It has a slender yet firm shape, and its holes are arranged in an extremely regular pattern—one large central hole surrounded by six smaller ones, all oval-shaped. Grown abundantly in Zepan Village, Longyao, it is thus named “Longyao Zepan Lotus Root.” Unlike other types, when broken, the Zepan lotus root exhibits fine, silk-like threads—much like a silkworm spinning silk—and makes a crisp sound upon hitting the ground, reminiscent of jade shattering. When tasted, it is sweet, crisp, juicy, and thick. The cut sections remain unchanged in color for days and can be soaked in water for a month without spoiling. While most lotus roots have six holes, and some rare varieties have seven, only the Longyao Zepan variety uniquely features this trait. Rather than being grown in ponds, these lotus roots are cultivated in fields enclosed on flat land, irrigated entirely by well water. Due to the unique soil and water conditions, coupled with careful cultivation by local farmers, this lotus root stands out from the rest. Longyao Zepan lotus roots won gold awards at the Shouguang Vegetable Trade Fair in Shandong in 2002 and 2005, the Langfang Agricultural Products Expo in 2007, and the 12th International Vegetable Expo in Shouguang, Shandong in 2011.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Longyao Zepan lotus roots are produced in five villages within Dongliang Township, Longyao County: Zepan, Shicun, Chenzhuang, Donghuo, and Xihuo. Dongliang Township is located in the southwestern part of Longyao County. The production base spans geographical coordinates from 114°38′33.6″E to 114°41′44.8″E and from 37°15′18.8″N to 37°16′47″N. The protected area for Longyao Zepan lotus roots covers 133.3 hectares, with a production area of 26.6 hectares, yielding a total output of 800 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Longyao Zepan lotus roots are ivory-white in color, plump in size, and the longest can have 6–8 sections, measuring approximately 1.3–1.5 meters in length. The flesh is crispy, tender, delicate, smooth, free of fibers, and sweet and crisp. The cross-section shows highly regular hole arrangement—one large central hole surrounded by six smaller ones, all oval-shaped. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Longyao Zepan lotus roots are rich in essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin, and can be processed into premium nutritious products like lotus root preserves and lotus root powder. Testing shows that the protein content of Longyao Zepan lotus roots is 2.66 grams per 100 grams, and vitamin C content is 58.7 milligrams per 100 grams—8 milligrams higher than that of ordinary lotus roots. 3. Safety Requirements: The growing environment complies with the NY/T391-2000 Green Food Growing Environment Standards; the product quality meets the NY/T1044-2006 Green Food Lotus Root and Its Products Quality Standards; the production process follows the green food fertilizer use guidelines NY/T394—2000, and no pesticides are used during the cultivation of Longyao Zepan lotus roots.