Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots

Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots

　　    Carrots are a commonly grown vegetable in our province, but the Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots produced in Liuge Town, Hanchuan City, have a long history and unique characteristics, renowned far and wide.

　　    The Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots of Liuge Town grow during the winter and La month (late December to early January). They feature compound leaves, white flowers, and elongated oval fruits that are round at both ends. They are large, uniform, and neatly shaped, with smooth, tender skin in a bright vermilion red, while the tail end is bluish-green. With a yellow core and red flesh, their vibrant colors are eye-catching. When cut or broken apart by hand, the cross-section reveals a complete golden-yellow chrysanthemum heart pattern—hence the name "Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots."

　　    The shape of the Chrysanthemum Heart Carrot is a complete work of art, suitable for carving and decorative arrangements. They are often used as garnishes in restaurant and hotel dish presentations, offering high ornamental value.

　　    Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots are juicy, moist to the point of dripping when cut. Eaten raw, they are sweet and crisp. When used to stew beef or lamb, or in hot pot, they are premium-quality ingredients. Their uniqueness lies in their tenderness—they remain soft yet firm even after multiple reheats, never becoming mushy, and always retaining their original freshness and flavor. When used to braise wild chicken soup, the bowl emits no visible steam, and if you eat too quickly, you’re bound to scald your tongue. The delicious taste and rich broth are truly indescribably wonderful.

　　    In addition to their edible and ornamental value, Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots also offer high nutritional benefits. They are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, greatly benefiting human growth and development. They are an excellent choice suitable for all ages.

　　    Curiously, the production area of Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots is limited to just a few hundred acres around the former "Dongyue Temple" in Liuge Town. If transplanted elsewhere, even using the same seeds and cultivation techniques, the resulting carrots differ greatly from authentic Chrysanthemum Heart Carrots—either uneven in shape or lacking in vibrant color, especially without the complete chrysanthemum heart pattern when cut open. This is what sets them apart from other carrots. (Hanchuan)