Wudu Yingxian

Wudu Yingxian

Wudu Yingxian is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Wudu Yingxian is a specialty of Echeng District, Ezhou City, Hubei Province.

　　The indica rice used for Wudu Yingxian is grown in five villages in Changgang Town, Echeng District—Xiaogou, Gaogou, Donggou, Dongshan, and Binhang—and eight villages in Dushan Town: Keying, Lukou, Dushan, Xudong, Donggang, Fandun, Xiawang, and Sanshan. Wudu Yingxian is a renowned rice product of Ezhou, often mentioned alongside Wuchang Fish. Its main characteristics include fine and slender grains, round and plump shape, excellent rice quality, minimal belly white, high gelatinization rate, and a translucent appearance rich in nutrients. The superior quality of Wudu Yingxian is attributed to the flat and expansive planting environment along both sides of the 90-li (approximately 45-kilometer) Changgang River in Echeng District, Ezhou City. The production area is situated along the banks of this river. The name “Wudu” originates from the ancient capital of King Sun Quan of the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, and the name Wudu Yingxian has been retained to this day.

　　 The growing environment for the raw material indica rice of Wudu Yingxian features flat and open terrain, making it an ideal area for establishing a Wudu Yingxian production base. The soil in the production area is fertile, with organic matter content exceeding 3%. The soil layer is deep, with an active soil layer of over 60 cm, groundwater level below 1 meter, and soil pH ranging between 5.5 and 7.5. Additionally, the 90-li Changgang River, which runs through the Wudu Yingxian production area, is close to Liangzi Lake and part of the Liangzi Lake water system. During spring and summer, the evaporation from the lake creates widespread fog, which is highly beneficial for the growth of the indica rice used in Wudu Yingxian. The average annual temperature in the production area of the indica rice is between 14°C and 21°C, with annual rainfall ranging from 800 to 2000 mm. The frost-free period lasts 200 to 360 days, the altitude is below 300 meters, the extreme low temperature can reach -17°C, and the accumulated temperature above 10°C is between 4250 and 7000°C. Wudu Yingxian is irrigated with water from Liangzi Lake via the 90-li Changgang River. Liangzi Lake is one of China’s top ten freshwater lakes, with clear and unpolluted water. The unique geographical environment and climatic conditions give the rice used in Wudu Yingxian distinct qualities compared to other rice varieties. The Wudu Yingxian rice, processed from indica rice, has a smooth and glossy surface, with slender or long oval-shaped grains. The longer grains measure over 7 millimeters. When cooked, it has a high yield of fluffy rice, lower stickiness, a crisp texture, and is prone to breakage during processing. The cross-section is mostly flat and round, with colors ranging from white and transparent to semi-transparent and opaque. Depending on the harvest season, it is categorized into early-season indica rice and late-season indica rice. Early-season indica rice has wider, shorter grains with a powdery white appearance, larger belly white, more starch, a fragile texture, and lower stickiness than late-season indica rice. Late-season indica rice features slender and slightly flattened grains with a fine and dense structure, typically transparent or semi-transparent, smaller belly white, more hard grains, higher oil content, and better overall quality. Wudu Yingxian contains about 75% carbohydrates, 7–8% protein, 1.3–1.8% fat, and is rich in B vitamins. The carbohydrates in Wudu Yingxian are mainly starch, and the proteins consist primarily of glutelin, followed by prolamin and globulin. The biological value of its proteins and the proportion of amino acids are higher than those of other cereal crops such as wheat, barley, millet, and corn. Its digestibility ranges from 66.8% to 83.1%, making it one of the higher-quality grain proteins. Wudu Yingxian is believed to have various health benefits, including invigorating the spleen and stomach, replenishing energy, strengthening vitality, nourishing internal organs, improving blood circulation, enhancing hearing and vision, relieving irritability, quenching thirst, and alleviating diarrhea.

　　Wudu Yingxian

　　 Ezhou City Urban and Rural Famous and Special Products Association

　　 13833911

　　 Rice