Tangzhuang White Lotus

Tangzhuang White Lotus

　　Tangzhuang White Lotus is a specialty of Tangzhuang Township, Sheqi County, Nanyang City, Henan Province. With a long history dating back to the Song Dynasty and flourishing in the Qing Dynasty, it was once listed as a delicacy in the imperial court’s diet. It is known for its characteristics such as not discoloring overnight, not leaving fibers when broken, being pure white and free of residue.

　　Tangzhuang White Lotus is a high-quality vegetable variety with distinctive local features from Tangzhuang Township, Sheqi County, and is also one of the eight famous and premium specialties of Nanyang City. It has gained widespread fame for its qualities of “not leaving fibers when broken, not discoloring overnight, having thin and crisp skin, and being pure white without residue.” Its local cultivation history dates back to the Song Dynasty, flourished during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, and has been passed down to this day. Its traditional planting method has been included in the *Chinese Vegetable Chronicles*. According to tests conducted by the Institute of Biology at the Henan Academy of Sciences, Tangzhuang White Lotus contains a total of 17 amino acids, which is higher than other varieties, reaching 1464MG/100G. Among the seven essential amino acids required by the human body, six are higher than those of non-local varieties, with only one being equal. Historical records indicate that during the reign of Empress Dowager Cixi, it was listed as an imperial dietary delicacy.

　　The Sheqi County Guoqiang White Lotus Professional Cooperative was established in October 2008. It was initiated by Zhou Guoqiang, the former village party branch secretary, and is supported by the current party branch secretary Li Dejun, who also serves as a council member. The cooperative is engaged in the planting, processing, and sales of white lotus, with a registered capital of 950,000 yuan. It currently has 52 member households and grows over 200 acres of high-quality Tangzhuang White Lotus in contiguous plots.

　　Tangzhuang White Lotus has obtained national organic food certification and has been designated as an official product for the National Farmers' Games. The cooperative has been ranked among the top 30 outstanding farmer professional cooperatives in Nanyang City. The cooperative adopts a unified model for planting, management, and operation of white lotus. Every stage—from seed selection, lotus field preparation, irrigation, fertilization, pest and disease control, harvesting, to packaging—is strictly carried out according to the organic product production protocols, with rigorous oversight at every step. No chemical synthetic agents, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers are used during the production process, and farming records are maintained. Currently, the brand effect of Tangzhuang White Lotus is gradually emerging. It is very popular in surrounding counties and cities nearby, and is also sold to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other places. Its price is more than double that of local products, showing great market potential. It has become a standout pillar industry in our township.