Huangwan Lotus Root

Huangwan Lotus Root

　　Huangwan lotus root is a type of lotus root produced in Huangwan Village, Wangchang Town, Qianjiang City. Unlike ordinary lotus roots, it has an odd number of holes—ranging from seven to eleven. It also differs in that its sections are not short and branched; typically, each stalk has three sections, each about a foot long, and the root is both white and tender. This lotus root is starchy and softens easily when cooked, producing rich and flavorful broth. It was ranked first in the *Jingzhou Cuisine Cookbook*, published in the 1980s.

　　Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited the south of the Yangtze River and tasted Huangwan lotus root, he spontaneously composed two lines of poetry: “A bend like the arm of the Western beauty, seven holes like the loyal heart of Bigan.” He compared the shape of the lotus root to the arm of a beautiful woman and the odd number of holes to Bigan’s “unwavering loyalty,” thus endowing Huangwan lotus root with a touch of human charm.

　　Many outsiders have tried to cultivate Huangwan lotus root elsewhere, but none have succeeded. To protect this precious local specialty and prevent any degradation in quality, the people of Huangwan have implemented various environmental protection measures to ensure the lotus root ponds remain free from pollution.