Zhangqiu Baocelery

Zhangqiu Baocelery

Zhangqiu Baocelery is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　In Baojia Village, Xinzhai Township, Zhangqiu City, Shandong Province, there is a history of celery cultivation spanning several hundred years. While celery is widely grown in Zhangqiu, only the celery from Baojia Village stands out with its rich aroma, vibrant green color, and slightly sweet taste upon eating — qualities unmatched by other varieties. In local markets, people specifically seek out the celery grown in Baojia Village, referring to it as Baojia Celery. Later, consumers affectionately began calling it Bao Celery. Bao Celery isn’t just representative of Baojia Village; it also belongs to Zhangqiu City. Friends from all over the country refer to it as Zhangqiu Baocelery. Gradually, the villagers of Baojia, local government officials, and various stakeholders embraced this resounding and melodious name — Zhangqiu Baocelery.

　　Characteristics of Zhangqiu Baocelery:

　　Baojia Village is located on the Yellow River alluvial plain, at an elevation of 25 meters. The terrain is flat, the soil is fertile, the average temperature is 12.8°C, and the four seasons are distinct. The frost-free period lasts between 185–209 days, with annual rainfall averaging 570–630 millimeters, mostly concentrated in the summer. The soil is a mixture of white sand and clay, rich in minerals such as zinc, copper, iron, manganese, iodine, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. Baojia Village is a traditional agricultural hub without pollution-heavy industries such as mining, mechanical processing, or chemical manufacturing. As a result, the water quality and air in the village remain unpolluted. Human factors, climate, rainfall, humidity, and soil conditions all provide an optimal environment for the growth of Baojia Celery. Celery has been cultivated in Baojia Village for a long time. According to the "Zhangqiu Place Names Record" and the genealogies of the Liu and Wan families, “During the Yuan Dynasty, the Bao family established the village here, naming it after their surname,” which dates back over a thousand years. In the fifth year of the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1855), the Yellow River breached its banks in Shandong, diverting into the Daqing River and flowing into the sea, while the Xiaoqing River also became silted up, making flood drainage in its tributaries even more difficult. Additionally, the section from Baojia’s Wanjia Kou, through Gaojiazhuang and Laohexiaya to Liutangkou features higher terrain, where the water flow was abundant and the soil fertile — ideal for growing celery. This indicates that by the Qing Dynasty, Baojia Village was already cultivating celery on a large scale. Over hundreds of years of selective breeding, the ancestors of Baojia Village developed a solid-stemmed variety known as “Da Qing Jie” (now called Baojia Celery or Bao Celery). Especially in recent years, with increased investment in technology and adherence to organic vegetable cultivation standards — including the use of organic fertilizer, foliar feeding with milk, and pest control via high-frequency insecticidal lamps and sticky traps — the celery grows naturally as a green food under the sun. The product is packaged in boxes and mainly comes in three categories: whole plant, core, and sprout. It is sold to the provincial capital and major cities across the country, often selling out as soon as it arrives. In January 14, 2009, “Baojia Celery” received organic conversion product certification from the Ministry of Agriculture. Baojia Celery plants are tall with well-developed root systems, vibrant green color, thick and tender stems, a crisp and slightly sweet taste, and leave no strings or residue when chewed. The core can be eaten raw, offering a rich celery aroma, a refreshing mouthfeel, and an unforgettable aftertaste. It is a rare variety among celery. Suitable for various cooking methods, it enjoys the reputation that “Bao Celery may not be as expensive as abalone, but abalone doesn’t taste as good as Bao Celery,” making it a standout among celery varieties. Alongside Zhangqiu Scallions and Mingshui Tribute Rice, Baojia Celery is honored as one of the “Three Treasures of Zhangqiu.” The phrase “Zhangqiu Scallions are famous worldwide, while Baojia Celery’s fragrance drifts across the four seas” aptly describes this exceptional produce.

　　Development of Zhangqiu Baocelery:

　　Baojia Village has over 200 vegetable-growing households. For many years, due to the lack of effective organization, celery growers mostly cultivated small, scattered plots akin to “kitchen gardens,” resulting in low returns. However, some skilled local vegetable growers, through careful market research and meticulous cultivation management, gradually improved both the quality and profitability of their produce, attracting more and more villagers to take up vegetable farming. Recognizing this trend, the local government seized the opportunity to provide strong support and guidance. Under the leadership of various levels of government, the Baojia Vegetable Professional Cooperative was established, along with the Shuangxin Baojia Celery Planting Cooperative dedicated specifically to Baocelery. A standardized production base for Baojia Celery was also built, which was included in Jinan City’s modern agriculture characteristic brand bases in 2009. After learning about this, CCTV-7’s "Getting Rich" program produced an episode on Zhangqiu Baocelery titled "The Secret Behind Celery Selling for 90 Yuan per Jin," sparking a nationwide buying craze for Zhangqiu Baocelery. Even more excitingly, Zhangqiu Baocelery made its debut at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and was even included in the menu of the Kong Family Feast (a historic imperial-style banquet). Governments at all levels have also provided strong support for this premium agricultural specialty, aiming to make Zhangqiu Baocelery a renowned product not just across China, but around the world.