Chenji Chinese Yam

Chenji Chinese Yam

Chenji Chinese Yam is a geographical indication protected product.

Chenji Chinese Yam is an agricultural geographical indication product.

　　“Chenji Chinese Yam” has a long cultivation history. The people of Chenji have been growing yams for over two thousand years, a tradition that has continued unbroken to this day. According to the Dingtao County Annals: In the late Spring and Autumn period, Fan Li, the progenitor of commerce, resigned from office to engage in trade. He relocated from the Yue Kingdom to Taoqiu (present-day Dingtao County), known as the center of the world, and settled there to conduct business. Because Xishi had a preference for “eating Dioscorea opposita (Chinese yam) to beautify her figure and complexion,” she introduced the plant to the area. It was then cultivated and domesticated on the sandy flatlands north of Taoqiu (present-day Chenji Town, Dingtao County).

　　By the first year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty, Gu Yuncan (courtesy name Baoyan, 1794–1861) from Chenji Village, Chenji Town, Dingtao County, passed the imperial martial examination and served as provincial garrison officer, guerrilla commander in Shanxi, assistant brigade-general of the provincial commander-in-chief’s guard, deputy military governor of Puzhou, and military governor of Hengzhou and Yongzhou in Hunan. Gu Yuncan repeatedly presented the yams grown in his hometown of Chenji as tribute to the imperial court, earning the court’s favor. He was later promoted to the position of water and land military governor of Guangxi Province.

　　During the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, Li Shoushen from Donglimiao Village in Chenji presented the Chenji-grown yams to Emperor Guangxu while serving as an imperial guard. After tasting them, Guangxu remarked joyfully: “These yams are truly a delicacy!”

　　As a result, “Chenji Chinese Yam” gained widespread fame and was celebrated both in and out of court. According to the Dingtao County Annals: ... During the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was offered as a tribute, mainly produced in the area now known as Chenji Town, and was then called “Chenji Chinese Yam.” Its product was known for being “slender, long, straight, round, firm in texture, and sweet, fragrant, soft, and smooth in taste...” The genealogy of the Chenji Gu family recorded: “Chenji yams presented to the emperor, a health treasure renowned far and wide; praised as a delicacy by Emperor Daoguang, common folk followed suit to eat imperial grain.” It was also at this time that “Chenji Chinese Yam” officially got its name. As the reputation of “Chenji Chinese Yam” spread, its cultivation area expanded, and it was also grown in surrounding areas. While all were flavorful, only those from Chenji were uniquely exceptional.

　　On November 16, 2009, Announcement No. 105 of 2009 issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China approved the application for the use of the geographical indication product logo for “Chenji Chinese Yam” and designated the “Dingtao County Lüboyuan Chenji Chinese Yam Professional Cooperative” as one of the first enterprises permitted to use the geographical indication product logo on relevant products in accordance with regulations. The product received geographical indication protection and is subject to legal supervision.

　　The Chenji Chinese Yam from Dingtao County, Shandong Province, has a long cultivation history and unique yam culture. Yam cultivation here spans over 2,400 years and has now become a major specialty industry in Heze City. It has been recognized as one of the “Top Ten Famous Foods of Heze” and serves as an important source of increased agricultural efficiency and income for local residents.

　　There are two varieties of Chenji Chinese Yam: Xishi Seed and Chicken Skin Rough. With a long production history and excellent quality, their taste combines “softness, sweetness, fragrance, smoothness, and crispness,” and they offer high medicinal and health benefits. In 2008, they were officially recognized by the state as a geographical indication product (the origin of Chenji Chinese Yam).

　　The geographical indication product protection area for Chenji Chinese Yam covers the current administrative region of Chenji Town, Dingtao County, Shandong Province.