Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian

Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian

Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian is a specialty of Fangxian County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province.

　　Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian has a long planting history, flourishing during the Tang Dynasty. It was once served as a “tribute product,” and its documented history spans 150 years. The 1866 edition of the *Fangxian County Annals* from the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty contains the following account: “There are two types of rice grain: japonica and glutinous. There are over ten varieties of early and late rice, in yellow, white, red, and green hues… Among the japonica rice are Gaocao Yellow and Lengshui Red…” It grows in cold-water paddies at altitudes between 800 and 1,200 meters, irrigated by mountain spring water. When mature, the rice husks are reddish-brown with very long awns, the grains are slender, the rice is pinkish in color, and it has a unique fragrance. The cooked rice is brownish-red in color, with a rich chestnut aroma and a smooth, moist texture. In WanYuhe Township and Shahe Township of Fangxian County, there is a custom where every time a daughter gets married, a large pillow is sewn and filled with several kilograms of Lengshui Red rice grains as part of her dowry. This is believed not only to bring fertility and good fortune but also to help replenish qi and blood during childbirth, aiding recovery and increasing breast milk. Hence, Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian is also known as “Moon Rice.”

　　II. Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　Location:

　　Hubei

　　Applicant:

　　Fangxian Grain and Oil Crops Technology Extension Station

　　Location:

　　2014

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area of Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian covers 10 townships in Fangxian County, Hubei Province, including Shahe Township, WanYuhe Township, Qingfeng Town, Menggusi Town, Tucheng Town, Baihe Town, Yeren Valley Town, Yao Huai Town, Shangkan Township, and Jiudao Township, involving 38 villages. Geographically, it lies between 110°02′ and 111°15′ east longitude and 31°34′ and 32°31′ north latitude, growing at altitudes of 800–1,200 meters, with a production area of 800 hectares, total output of 1,116 tons, and total output value of 62.4 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance Characteristics: Lengshui Red Rice grains are dark brown, with the brown rice being oval-shaped, reddish-brown, glossy, and with a smooth texture. The average length of the rice grains is 6.3 mm, width 3.4 mm, and the thousand-kernel weight of brown rice is 22.3 g. The cooked rice is brownish-red, with a strong chestnut aroma and a smooth, moist texture. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Each 100 g of Lengshui Red brown rice contains ≥8 g of crude protein, ≥6.5 g of amino acids, and 15–20% amylose content. 3. Product Quality and Safety: The production process of Lengshui Red Rice from Fangxian follows the standards *Technical Regulations for Pollution-Free Rice Production* (NY/T5117—2002) and *Technical Specifications for Pollution-Free Rice Processing* (NY/T5190—2002).