Dehua Chinese Yam

Dehua Chinese Yam

Dehua Chinese yam is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Dehua Chinese yam, commonly known as Cunjin yam or potato yam, has a long history of cultivation. Its main production area is located in the Daiyun Mountain Range, known as the “Roof of Central Fujian,” at altitudes of 500–1200 meters. With large diurnal temperature variations and abundant rainfall, long-term artificial seed selection has resulted in the unique premium variety called Cunjin yam. Locally, it enjoys the reputation that “Among all yams under heaven, none surpasses the Cunjin yam.” The tuber of Dehua Chinese yam has a light brown or pale yellow skin, an elongated round shape, a short “dragon head,” and a length of 50–80 cm. It features numerous fibrous roots, a milky-white cut surface with thick, sticky juice, and cooks easily to become tender. It boasts a fragrant yam aroma, soft and tender texture, and noticeable graininess, embodying a unique quality described as the “finest in color and taste.” The principal cultivar, “Cunjin yam,” was already documented in the Qing Dynasty’s “Dehua County Annals” (compiled in the 12th year of the Qianlong reign). “Among all yams under heaven, none surpasses the Cunjin yam” is praised for its “finest in color and taste” (language from the Qianlong-era county annals). Legend has it that during his cultivation at Qinfeng, the Taoist Immortal Dede planted yams (“Dede yams,” now known as Cunjin yam) near the “Dede Fairy Irrigation Channel” at the foot of Qinfeng Mountain for sustenance. It is said that a local villager suffering from food blockage (now known as esophageal cancer), who had long been untreated, sought the Taoist's medical help. Upon consuming a soup made with the yam and red mushrooms, he recovered, leading later generations to call the “yam” the “immortal yam.” Over the generations, people in Lantian (now Yangtian) and Oushan (now Yingshan) selected, bred, and cultivated the crop, eventually forming the “Cunjin yam” variety of Yingshan. This variety is prized for its fragrant softness, excellent mouthfeel, distinctive flavor, and rich nutrition. It is believed to invigorate the spleen and stomach, nourish kidney essence, benefit the lungs and relieve cough, lower blood sugar, and promote longevity. Dehua Chinese yam currently covers a cultivated area of over 10,000 mu, with an annual output of more than 13,000 tons. The produce is mainly sold to markets in Quanzhou, Xiamen, Chaoshan, as well as Taiwan and Hong Kong. Its unique qualities—soft and delicious texture and the “finest in color and taste” (as described in the county annals)—have earned it a renowned reputation in traditional southern Fujian sales regions.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Dehua Chinese yam (also known as Cunjin yam or yam) includes 18 towns and townships in Dehua County such as Longxun Town, Xunzhong Town, Leifeng Town, Gaide Town, Sanban Town, and Shangyong Town. Dehua County is located in central Fujian Province, on the upper reaches of the Zhangxi River, north of Quanzhou City. It lies between longitude 117°55′–118°32′ east and latitude 25°23′–25°56′ north. It borders Yongtai County of Fuzhou City and Xianyou County of Putian City to the east, neighbors Yongchun County to the south, connects with Datian County of Sanming City to the west, and adjoins Youxi County of Sanming City to the north. The county covers a total area of 2,219.72 square kilometers. The total production area of yams is 2,000 hectares, with a total yield of 45,000 tons and a total output value of approximately 180 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External sensory characteristics: The tuber of Dehua Chinese yam has a light brown or pale yellow skin, an elongated round shape, a short “dragon head,” and a length of 50–80 cm. It features numerous fibrous roots, a milky-white cut surface with thick, sticky juice, and cooks easily to become tender. It boasts a fragrant yam aroma, soft and tender texture, and noticeable graininess, embodying a unique quality described as the “finest in color and taste.” 2. Internal quality indicators: Protein content is 6.5–6.95%, crude fiber 0.90–1.2%, fat 0.15–0.23%, moisture 2.6–3.0%, starch 63.0–66.0%, extractives 10.5–11.0%, and amino acids 5.1–5.6%. 3. Safety requirements: The quality of Dehua Chinese yam products shall comply with the “Pollution-Free Agricultural Products—Tuber and Tuberous Vegetable” (NY5221-2005) standard, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, the State Council’s Special Provisions on Strengthening the Supervision and Administration of Food and Other Product Safety, and other relevant regulations and laws.