Zhanggang Cauliflower

Zhanggang Cauliflower

Zhanggang Cauliflower is a geographical indication certification trademark.

Zhanggang Cauliflower is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Situated in the heart of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Plain, on the banks of the Han River, Zhanggang Town in Tianmen City has been cultivating cauliflower since the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, 170 years ago. Today, all 37 villages in the town have a perennial planting area of 100,000 mu, making it China’s largest town for large-scale cauliflower cultivation. Zhanggang cauliflower is as white as jade, with a sweet, glutinous flavor and delicate texture, rich in nutrients, including trace elements such as selenium, as well as protein, phosphorus, iron, carotene, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin K, and vitamin C. It is especially high in vitamin C, with 129.6 mg per 100 grams. The abundant trace element selenium and bioactive compounds help prevent cancer, while the high level of natural vitamin C benefits cardiovascular health. Processed products include fresh cauliflower, frozen cauliflower, salted vegetables, and dried vegetables. These products are sold in over 30 major and medium-sized cities including Beijing, Harbin, Wuhan, and Shenzhen, as well as in Europe, America, and Southeast Asian countries.

　　Zhanggang Town is a small town under the jurisdiction of Tianmen City, Hubei Province, with a population of 95,700 and an area of 153 square kilometers. It is located on the north bank of the lower Han River, in the southwestern part of the city. The town is known for its characteristic industries of cotton, peanuts, and cauliflower, earning it the title “Home of the Three Flowers.” Among these, the cauliflower industry is particularly prominent. Zhanggang Town has a long history of cauliflower cultivation, with nearly every one of its 44 administrative villages growing the crop. In 2011, the planting area reached 60,000 mu, accounting for 64% of the town’s total crop cultivation area, with a cauliflower yield of 120,000 tons, ranking fourth in the country.

　　Cauliflower is a type of vegetable, a variant of cabbage. Its flesh is tender, with a sweet and delicious taste, and it is easily digested and absorbed after consumption, making it a very popular vegetable. It is not only flavorful but also highly nutritious, with significant medicinal value. It is very rich in vitamin C. Among them, broccoli has an average nutritional value and disease-prevention effect that far surpasses other vegetables, ranking first.

　　The cultivation of cauliflower in Zhanggang Town, Tianmen City, was officially listed as a national sixth batch agricultural standardization demonstration zone project in March 2008. The Tianmen City cauliflower standardization demonstration zone passed the acceptance inspection of the National Standardization Committee and was recognized as a pollution-free cauliflower production base in Hubei Province. Cauliflower tested by the National Ministry of Agriculture Food Quality Supervision and Testing Center was confirmed to be a pollution-free product. Starting in 2005, Zhanggang cauliflower was exported to Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and via Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia to Mongolia and Russia. By 2006, exports had expanded to South Korea and Japan.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Zhanggang Town is located in the southwestern part of Tianmen City, Hubei Province, within the coordinates of 112°46′00″–112°55′00″ east longitude and 30°30′00″–30°40′00″ north latitude. It borders the Han River to the south, facing Qianjiang City across the river, lies 48 kilometers east of Jingling, 15 kilometers north of Tuoshi, and 20 kilometers west of Duobao. The main cauliflower-growing areas in Zhanggang Town are distributed across 37 villages within the town, including Luowan Village, Hongshan Village, Penghu Village, Zhanggang Village, Shiziqiao Village, Yingang Village, Zhoupu Village, Duanpu Village, Heshan Village, Maoxiang Village, Guodang Village, Liangtan Village, Zekou Village, Maoling Village, Gaoguai Village, Tongxing Village, Guantoujian Village, Dayuan Village, Sigang Village, Jiujun Village, Sanhe Village, Xiongliu Village, Shizhou Farm, Chadian Village, Baiguo Tree Village, Shunhe Village, Baitai Village, Luoshitan Village, Gaorongtai Village, Sunliwan Village, Lingjiaozhou Village, Zhongnan Village, Hedike Village, Gongwang Village, Zhangjiao Village, Xiqiao Village, and Xinhe Village. The total production area is 3,346 hectares, with an annual output of 120,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: The small florets have short, fleshy stems, tight flower heads, pure white color, and no dirt, mechanical damage, loose petals, or fuzz on the surface. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Zhanggang cauliflower is highly nutritious, especially rich in vitamin C, with ≥100 mg per 100 g of fresh cauliflower. 3. Safety Requirements: Zhanggang cauliflower is produced strictly in accordance with the green food standard system issued by the National Ministry of Agriculture. Specific standards include: NY/T391-2000 "Technical Specifications for Green Food Production Environment," NY/T393-2000 "Guidelines for Pesticide Use in Green Food," and NY/T394-2000 "Guidelines for Fertilizer Use in Green Food."