Fuzhou Water Spinach

Fuzhou Water Spinach

Fuzhou water spinach is a product with a geographical indication.

　　Category: Vegetable | Product Name: Fuzhou Water Spinach | Registration Certificate No.: AGI01688 | Ministry of Agriculture Announcement No./Date: No. 2277 (2015.07.22) | Brief Cultural History: Fuzhou water spinach has been cultivated in Linchuan for over 1,000 years. From May to November each year, it is an indispensable vegetable for the people of Linchuan. It never gets tiresome, with a refreshing and delicious taste. Anyone who visits or has lived in Linchuan will mention Fuzhou water spinach. Whether due to the soil or other factors, it cannot be easily grown elsewhere—it only thrives in Linchuan. Originally limited to Linchuan, the cultivation of Fuzhou water spinach has now expanded across the entire city. A high-quality seed deep-breeding base has also been established in Hunan Township, Linchuan District. To promote the development of Fuzhou water spinach, a farmers’ professional cooperative has been set up in Hunan Township, focusing on building the Fuzhou water spinach brand, which is expected to bring long-term economic and social benefits to the region.

　　Internal Quality: Every 100 grams of Fuzhou water spinach contains 2.45–2.58g of crude protein, 39.8–43.6mg of vitamin C, 1.23–1.43g of total sugar, 1.26–1.36g of reducing sugar, 1.3–1.5g of crude fiber, 10.05–10.15g of dry matter, and 2.18–2.38g of 17 types of amino acids.

　　External Characteristics: The Fuzhou water spinach plant grows prostrate with strong branching ability. Its stems are vining, growing 1–3 meters long with a diameter of about 1.5 cm, hollow with nodes where adventitious roots easily form. The stem walls are relatively thick and green. The leaves are alternate, green, entire-margined, long-ovate, cordate at the base, acuminate at the apex, 10–12 cm long, 6–8 cm wide, with petioles 8–12 cm long. It has a fresh and tender taste, with crisp young stems and a unique flavor.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Fuzhou Linchuan is located in eastern Jiangxi, along the middle reaches of the Fu River. It borders Jinxi County and Dongxiang County to the east; Chongren County and Fengcheng City to the west; Nancheng County and Yihuang County to the south; and is adjacent to Nanchang City to the north. The protected production area of Fuzhou water spinach includes eight townships (towns) in Linchuan District: Hunan Township, Xiaqiao Town, Luozhen Town, Luohu Town, Changkai Town, Wenquan Town, Gaoping Town, and Tongyuan Township. The protected area lies between 116°04'54"–116°24'56" east longitude and 27°51'14"–28°09'18" north latitude. The protected area spans 1,000 hectares, with an annual yield of 75,000 tons.

　　Product Quality and Characteristic Features

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The Fuzhou water spinach plant grows prostrate with strong branching ability. Its stems are vining, growing 1–3 meters long with a diameter of about 1.5 cm, hollow with nodes where adventitious roots easily form. The stem walls are relatively thick and green. The leaves are alternate, green, entire-margined, long-ovate, cordate at the base, acuminate at the apex, 10–12 cm long, 6–8 cm wide, with petioles 8–12 cm long. It has a fresh and tender taste, with crisp young stems and a unique flavor. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Contains 39.06–47.74 mg/100g of vitamin C, 1.20%–1.46% total sugar, 1.17%–1.44% reducing sugar, 1.26%–1.54% crude fiber, 9.10%–11.10% dry matter, 2.28%–2.80% crude protein, and 2.10–2.51g/100g of 17 types of amino acids. 3. Quality and Safety Requirements: The growing environment of Fuzhou water spinach complies with the requirements of NY5331, "Environmental Conditions for the Production Areas of Pollution-Free Aquatic Vegetables."