Zhongxiang Shiitake Mushrooms

Zhongxiang Shiitake Mushrooms

Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms are a product with geographical indication.

　　Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms are produced in 18 towns, farms, subdistricts, and management areas of Zhongxiang City, including Zhangji, Kedian, Hují, and Dongqiao. These mushrooms come in light brown, dark brown, or deep cinnamon colors with distinct patterns. Their flesh is white and thick. With a unique quality, they emit a rich and long-lasting aroma when stewed or stir-fried, offering a smooth and tender texture. Rich in soluble dietary fiber, crude polysaccharides, and vitamin B1, they are typical health foods that are highly favored by consumers. Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms have nearly a thousand years of history. In the 1970s and 1980s, they became one of the main export agricultural products of Zhongxiang City, "selling well both domestically and internationally as best-selling commodities." The annual cultivation amounts to 60 million bags, producing 96,000–120,000 tons of high-quality fresh mushrooms, 36,000–48,000 tons of dried shiitake mushrooms, and nearly 10,000 tons of processed mushroom products such as mushroom sauce and mushroom soup, with an output value of nearly 1 billion yuan. The products are popular in Beijing, Shanghai, Kunming, Xi'an, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Hefei, and Hong Kong, and are exported to over 20 countries including the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Malaysia.

　　In recent years, shiitake mushroom cultivation in Zhangji Town, Zhongxiang City, has developed rapidly. According to agricultural department statistics, in 2010, there were over 4,000 mushroom-growing households, more than 280 large-scale growers, and the edible fungus industry generated an output value of 610 million yuan, with 6.5 million US dollars in export earnings. The small mushroom has become a truly significant industry for increasing the income and prosperity of Zhangji farmers.

　　In 2014, the "Zhongxiang Shiitake Mushrooms" application submitted by the Zhongxiang Edible Fungus Association passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, leading to its implementation under the national agricultural product geographical indication registration and protection system.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms are produced in 18 towns, subdistricts, and management areas of Zhongxiang City, including Yangzi, Changshou, Fengle, Hují, Shuanghe, Linkuang, Wenji, Lengshui, Shipai, Chaihu, Jiukou, Changtan, Dongqiao, Kedian, Zhangji, Jiuli Hui Ethnic Township, Yingzhong Subdistrict, and Guanzhuanghu Management Area. Zhongxiang City is located in the central part of Hubei Province, along the middle reaches of the Han River, at the northern end of the Jianghan Plain, in the transitional zone between the Jianghan Plain and the northern Hubei uplands. The city covers an area of 4,488 square kilometers. Its geographical coordinates are between 112°07′–113°00′ east longitude and 30°42′–31°36′ north latitude. The terrain consists of hills, plains, and mountainous areas in a ratio of 5:3:2, with elevations ranging from 32.5 to 1,051 meters. It borders Jingshan County to the east, Tianmen City and Shayang County to the south, Jingmen City to the west, and Yicheng City and Suizhou City to the north. The annual cultivation of Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms amounts to 60 million bags, producing 96,000–120,000 tons of high-quality fresh mushrooms and 36,000–48,000 tons of dried shiitake mushrooms.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms have round or oval caps in light brown, dark brown, or deep cinnamon colors with distinct patterns and white gill lines. The edges of the caps have dark scales, with cap diameters ranging from 2–8 cm. The stems are central or slightly off-center, and the flesh is white and thick, with the distinctive fresh aroma of shiitake mushrooms. When stewed or stir-fried, they emit a rich and long-lasting aroma and offer a smooth and tender texture. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms are uniquely flavorful and nutritious, containing ≥8.9g/100g of soluble dietary fiber, ≥6.12g/100g of crude polysaccharides, and ≥0.21mg/100g of vitamin B1. 3. Quality and Safety Standards: Zhongxiang shiitake mushrooms comply with the "Pollution-Free Food Edible Fungus Production Technical Specifications NY/T2375-2013" standard.

　　Region:

　　Hubei

　　Applicant:

　　Zhongxiang Edible Fungus Association

　　Region:

　　2014

　　Designated Region

　　Protected Area:

　　The protected area includes 18 towns, subdistricts, and management areas under the jurisdiction of Zhongxiang City: Yangzi, Changshou, Fengle, Hují, Shuanghe, Linkuang, Wenji, Lengshui, Shipai, Chaihu, Jiukou, Changtan, Dongqiao, Kedian, Zhangji, Jiuli Hui Ethnic Township, Yingzhong Subdistrict, and Guanzhuanghu Management Area. The geographical coordinates are 112°07′～113°00′ east longitude and 30°42′～31°36′ north latitude.