Jingshan Qiao Rice

Jingshan Qiao Rice

Jingshan Qiao Rice is a geographical indication protected product.

Jingshan Qiao Rice is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Geographical Scope

　　　　　Jingshan Qiao Rice gets its name from its origin in Sunqiao Town, Jingshan County. Its grains are slender, smooth, translucent, delicious without being greasy, and fragrant. As early as the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, it was designated as an imperial tribute rice.

　　Distinctive Quality

　　　　 The rice grains of Jingshan Qiao Rice are round and solid, white in color and heavy in texture. Whether steamed into fluffy rice or cooked into thick porridge, it turns snow-white, exuding a tempting fragrance. It has a sticky yet non-greasy texture, similar to japonica rice but not mushy. Compared to “691” medium-grain rice, it is more glutinous, and compared to “International Rice,” it is more aromatic. It can stimulate appetite, improve digestion, and is rich in nutrients. Moreover, it has a very high milling rate, reaching over 80%. Historically, it was served as tribute rice to the emperor.

　　　The premium quality of Jingshan Qiao Rice comes from the high-quality soil of its paddy fields. According to analysis by experts, the organic matter, total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus content in the soil of Qiao Rice paddies are significantly better than those in surrounding areas. This superior soil allows “Jingshan Qiao Rice,” which has been an imperial tribute since the Ming Dynasty, to not only look plump and shiny on the outside, but also be rich in protein, amino acids, and other nutrients on the inside. In terms of the overall growing environment across Jingshan County, the advantages include: first, its location in a hilly area with large diurnal temperature variations; second, unique soil conditions rich in various trace elements, especially higher iron content; third, irrigation water sourced from mountain spring hot springs, containing abundant iron and selenium; and fourth, a long growth cycle with ample sunlight.

　　　　Qiao Rice is the abbreviated term for the rice produced in Sunqiao Town, Jingshan County. Since the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing era, Qiao Rice has enjoyed a prestigious reputation. Sunqiao is only about 30 kilometers away from Zhongxiang Huangzhuang, the hometown of Emperor Jiajing. At that time, local officials presented Qiao Rice to the royal estate. After tasting it, Jiajing’s father was highly impressed and had it specially sent to the imperial palace in the capital. Upon trying it, Emperor Jiajing praised it as a “treasure of food” and often included it in his “imperial meals.” Hence, Qiao Rice is also known as “imperial rice” or “tribute rice.” Back then, the imperial court limited its cultivation, and officials were dispatched to guard the fields. The harvest had to be turned over in full. It is said that many farmers who grew Qiao Rice never got to taste it themselves. A local nursery rhyme describes the wonders of Qiao Rice: “Qiao Rice is long, three grains make an inch; Qiao Rice is curved, three grains circle round; Qiao Rice is fragrant, three bowls taste better than agarwood.”

　　Cultural Anecdote

　　　　　　It is said that when Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty was born, he cried incessantly, causing great distress to the royal family of Prince Xing. They issued a notice seeking a doctor. Coincidentally, the True Martial Emperor of Mount Wudang passed by and responded to the notice, entering the residence. He whispered into Jiajing’s ear: “Do not worry, do not worry. This humble Taoist will find you food.” Immediately, Jiajing stopped crying. The True Martial Emperor traveled all around the hills and fields near Chengtian Prefecture (now Zhongxiang County), but none satisfied him. Finally, he chose a mountain valley west of Jingshan City. He stepped on the land with his feet and pressed it with his fingers, forming dozens of paddy fields. When Jiajing began eating, he would only consume the rice produced in this valley. Later, after ascending the throne in the capital, he continued to eat rice from this place. No matter whether the harvest was bountiful or poor due to drought or flood, the total yield of these dozens of fields never increased by more than five dan or decreased by more than ten dan—reportedly due to changes in the imperial household size. People found this curious and named it “Qiao Mi” (clever rice). Because the producing area, Sunqiao, sounded similar, it came to be called “Qiao Mi” (bridge rice).