Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage

Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage

Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Jiaozhou has been growing Chinese cabbage for over 400 years. The Jiaozhou Chinese cabbage is known for its large size, thin leaf stalks, tightly wrapped heads, minimal fiber, white and sweet juice, rich nutrition, crisp texture when eaten raw, and rich flavor when cooked. It enjoys a high reputation both domestically and internationally and is hailed as "Jiao Bai" (Jiaozhou White). This vegetable stores well and is easy to preserve, making it a major seasonal vegetable for urban and rural residents in Qingdao during winter and spring. (Qingdao)

　　Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage is produced in Nansanlihe Village, Jiaozhou City, Shandong Province. With a long cultivation history, it features distinct characteristics not found in cabbages from other regions, such as pale green outer leaves, tender fibers, delicious taste, and suitability for both raw and cooked consumption. It is a renowned local specialty famous both at home and abroad.

　　To meet the needs of domestic and international tourists visiting Jiaozhou for business talks, tourism, sightseeing, and inspections, the Jiaozhou Tourism Bureau, with the guidance and strong support of relevant experts, has developed a highly acclaimed Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage tourist souvenir art piece. It holds great artistic appreciation and collection value.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage is a Shandong geographical indication brand product. It is widely cultivated along the banks of the Sanlihe River, Jiao River, Moshui River, Jiaolai River, Dagu River, and Yanghe River in the city, covering an area of about 60,000 mu.

　　Unique Qualities

　　"Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage" is renowned for its superior quality, characterized by "tender and thin leaf stalks, milky white juice, delicious taste, fine fibers, and good nutrition." Its quality and fame have been documented in historical records and praised by many literati. Marshal Chen Yi once praised it in a poem: "Majestic is the green of Jiao Cabbage, stretching over thousands of miles of fertile fields." The description in Lu Xun’s essay collection "Dawn Blossoms Plucked at Dusk – Mr. Fujino" further highlights the nobility of "Jiaozhou Chinese Cabbage."

　　Cultural Anecdotes

　　It is said that the notorious usurper Yuan Shikai, after proclaiming himself the Hongxian Emperor in the winter of 1915, suddenly remembered having once tasted Jiaozhou Chinese cabbage while serving under the Empress Dowager Cixi—it was incredibly delicious. He then ordered the Minister of the Interior Zhu Qiqian to quickly dispatch someone to Jiaozhou to urgently transport Jiaozhou Chinese cabbage to the capital so he could enjoy it.