Wuyuan Haba Red Carp

Wuyuan Haba Red Carp

Wuyuan Haba Red Carp is a protected geographical indication product.

　　  The Haba Red Carp originates from the folk traditions of Wuyuan. With its golden-red color, small head, short tail, tall back, broad body, thick and plump belly resembling a traditional Chinese money purse, it is thus named the Haba Red Carp. It is one of China’s renowned and superior fish breeds. According to the *Annals of Huizhou Prefecture*, it has a cultivation history of over 300 years. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, Yu Fanxue, a native of Wuyuan and Minister of Revenue, retired to his hometown and brought back the red carp bestowed upon him by the emperor. He released them into ponds for breeding, and over time they multiplied and spread among the people. The Haba Red Carp is not only tender and delicious with rich nutrition but also has medicinal value. The Qing Dynasty medical text *Origins of Medical Forest Compilation* states that it “calms pregnancy, improves complexion, relieves coughing, treats beriberi, reduces swelling, and cures jaundice…” and possesses functions that harmonize the spleen, nourish the liver, and replenish the heart. In 1958, Wuyuan County established the Haba Red Carp Research Institute, collecting 17 parent fish. Through more than 20 years of systematic selective breeding and seven generations of purification and strengthening, superior varieties such as “Heyuan Carp” and “Furong Carp” were developed. In 1980, the breed was certified as China’s first artificially selected and cultivated superior freshwater fish variety, and it has been farmed using pollution-free methods. Currently, over 200,000 fry are produced annually, and the breed has been promoted to 25 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China, while also being exported as far as Hong Kong, where it enjoys great popularity.