Xingtang Longxing Tribute Rice

Xingtang Longxing Tribute Rice

　　Xingtang Longxing Tribute Rice is a specialty of Xingtang County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. The name “Longxing Tribute Rice” originates from Longxing Village in Beihexiang, Xingtang, and was bestowed the title of tribute rice by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. When cooked into porridge, Longxing Tribute Rice emits a fragrant aroma, tastes sweet and delicious, and boasts both appealing color and flavor.

　　In the 45th year of Kangxi’s reign, Emperor Shengzu Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty made a pilgrimage to Mount Wutai. On the way, when he reached Wangkuai Village in Fuping County, he was suddenly overcome with poetic inspiration and composed an antithetical couplet. He offered the first line: “The king arrives at Wangkuai, and the king is joyful.” He then asked his accompanying officials to come up with the matching second line. The ministers struggled to think of a response, but none could match it. As they continued their journey and arrived at Liuxing Village in Xingtang, a strong fragrance of rice drifted through the air. Following the scent, they found a village woman cooking porridge. The emperor approached to take a look. Seeing the emperor arrive, the woman hurriedly offered him the rice porridge. After drinking it, the emperor was full of praise. One of the ministers, inspired by the scene, quickly came up with the matching line: “When the dragon arrives at Xing Village, Xing Village prospers.” Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi repeatedly expressed his approval and immediately decreed that Liuxing Village be renamed Longxing Village. He also conferred the title of tribute rice upon the millet produced in the village. From then on, the millet from Longxing Village was offered as tribute to the imperial court every year.

　　Why did Longxing millet win the favor of Emperor Kangxi? It turns out that Longxing Village is located in the hilly region of northern Xingtang, where the frost-free period is long all year round, sunlight is abundant, and there is a large diurnal temperature variation. Within a 5-kilometer radius, the soil is mostly red soil rich in various organic fertilizers, and the area experiences frequent drought, which is highly suitable for growing grain. The millet produced here is not only golden in color and rich in mellow flavor, but also highly nutritious. In 1997, tests conducted by the Grain Supervision and Testing Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of China found that Longxing Tribute Rice contains 18 types of amino acids, with a total content as high as 11.5%. These amino acids are well-balanced and highly beneficial to human health, exceeding the average nutritional value of millet produced domestically. In 2006, it won the award for Famous and High-Quality Agricultural Products at the 10th China Agricultural Trade Fair. Currently, Longxing Tribute Rice is sold in more than 10 provinces and cities including Hebei, Beijing, Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang, and Henan, and is exported to countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. It also supplies the General Office of the State Council every year. Longxing Tribute Rice is popular throughout the country and enjoys international renown, making it a well-known brand.