Dashaan Radish of Shanxian

Dashaan Radish of Shanxian

Dashaan Radish of Shanxian is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Dashaan Radish of Shanxian is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Dashaan Radish of Shanxian is a specialty of Shanxian County, Heze City, Shandong Province.

　　Dashaan Radish is a rare crop in China with hundreds of years of cultivation history. As early as 1628, it was recorded in the Nongzheng Quanshu (Complete Treatise on Agriculture), and it is known to have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, regulating qi and resolving nodules, dispersing accumulations and strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach and intestines, treating colds, coughs, whooping cough, sore throat, abscesses, hernia, scrofula, dysmenorrhea, and more. The Dashaan Radish from Shanxian has unique product quality, with fruits measuring 2cm to 5cm in diameter, earth-yellow in color with ring-shaped striations, and having pure white and delicate flesh that is fragrant and sweet when cooked. Dashaan Radish contains 16 kinds of mineral trace elements, 17 kinds of amino acids, and 40 types of nutrients such as crude protein, reducing sugars, and vitamins. It is particularly rich in resistant starch at 77.3%, offering six major health benefits: lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, preventing osteoporosis and aging, aiding natural weight loss by increasing lipid excretion, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria for smoother bowel movements, detoxifying and fighting cancer.

　　Dashaan Radish is a rare and precious crop in China, and a unique specialty of Shanxian. With a long historical and cultural background and significant medicinal and health benefits, it was recorded as early as 1628 in the Ming Dynasty’s Nongzheng Quanshu as an imperial tribute. Chapter 19 of Dream of the Red Chamber confirms its use as an offering fruit on spirit altars at the time. It is also listed as an important medicinal ingredient in Compendium of Materia Medica, Chinese Herbal Medicine Dictionary, and Chinese Medical Dictionary. Resembling a big-bellied arhat, Dashaan Radish is grown without pesticides and thrives on organic fertilizer, making it a natural, pollution-free, organic, nutritious, health-promoting, anti-cancer, and tonic delicacy. When cooked, it is fragrantly sweet, refreshing, and delightful to the palate, with a lingering aftertaste that is uniquely flavorful. As a rare and valuable crop in China, Dashaan Radish is nutritionally comprehensive and rich, possessing high medicinal and edible value. Analysis by Shandong Agricultural University shows it is rich in 16 minerals and trace elements such as potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, and manganese; 17 amino acids; and abundant nutrients including starch, reducing sugars, crude fiber, crude protein, VC, VB1, VB2, and more. Consumption helps prevent hypertension and osteoporosis, improves hematopoietic function, promotes brain development, and has anti-cancer properties. Pharmacopoeias record that Dashaan Radish can treat colds, coughs, whooping cough, sore throat, hernia, swelling, scrofula, strengthen the spleen, and fortify the stomach. Modern medicine shows it can protect the heart and retina, soften blood vessels, treat diabetes, enhance the immune system, increase disease resistance, prolong life, and improve skin and hair condition. Dashaan Radish is gradually gaining recognition and is widely used as medicine, oral liquid, health products, instant drinks, beverages, convenience foods, gourmet dishes in high-end hotels and restaurants, food additives, premium pastries, and noodles.

　　Growth and Harvest: The seed of Dashaan Radish is the root, also called fragrant taro root, which is similarly priced to taro itself. It is planted in the ground around May each year and can be harvested around November. However, Dashaan Radish has good anti-oxidation properties, so storing it in the soil is optimal, where it can remain preserved until around May of the following year (due to Shandong’s moderate climate and unfrozen ground), without any loss in quality. Land that has been used to grow Dashaan Radish cannot be replanted with it for ten consecutive years, which is one reason for its preciousness.

　　Medicinal Dried Slices: Because Dashaan Radish has high medicinal value, local farmers often make dried slices for medicinal use. These slices are usually air-dried naturally. If they appear overly white or have a sour smell, they may have been treated with sulfur.

　　Color Identification: High-quality Dashaan Radish has a smooth surface, no cracks, no spots, and is light brown with stripes. If the surface is not smooth, it may have been washed by water or bitten by insects.

　　Eating Methods: Size is directly related to price. Similar to yam, which is both medicinal and edible, Dashaan Radish is rich in nutrients. High-end hotels often use it to prepare premium dishes. Sliced and soaked in water, it serves as a medicinal remedy. Due to its limited availability and low yield, it is quite expensive. It can be stored like potatoes.

　　Purchasing Methods: It is generally available on Taobao.

　　Location: Shandong

　　Applicant: Shanxian Tianxiang Dashaan Radish Professional Cooperative

　　Year: 2013

　　Geographical Scope

　　Shanxian is part of the Yellow River alluvial plain. The production area of Dashaan Radish in Shanxian is located south to the old course of the Yellow River, north to the Dongyu River, east to Zhujizhen, and west to Huangbai River. Its geographical coordinates are longitude 115°48′–116°24′ and latitude 34°34′–34°56′, covering a regional area of 1,860 square kilometers, with a protected area of 154 hectares and an annual total output of 693 tons. The currently protected areas for Dashaan Radish include villages such as Fangliu, Zhanghai, and Cui Kou in Lahe Town; Yangzhuang, Liuzhuang, Shizhuang, Xiuzhuang, Yangji, Liudiansi, Hezhuang, and Sunzhuang in Litianlou Town; Kouzhuang, NanZhaozhuang, and Zhenglou in Zhujizhen; Zaoyuan, Zaoyuanji, and Zhu- in Shilou Town; Zhangyoufang, Zhangcaomiao, Sanlihuangzhuang, Hezhuang, Wangbanqiao, and Xiezhuang in Xiejizhen; Malou, Gailiu, and Mengzhuang in Zhongxing Town; Gaohuhu, Huangzhuang, and Sulou in Dongcheng Subdistrict Office; and Huangxiaolou, Guohuangzhuang, and Shanlou in Nancheng Subdistrict Office.