Shuanglian Water Chestnuts

Shuanglian Water Chestnuts

Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are a product with geographical indication.

　　 Legend has it that two clear springs flow down from the beautiful Yuquan Mountain of Yuquan Temple in Dangyang City, Hubei Province—one eastward and one westward. The eastern spring converges at the foot of the mountain, where “pearls” bubble up from the ground, attracting visitors to stop and admire. This is the famous “Pearl Spring.” The western spring also produces “pearls,” but fewer visitors come to see it. So the locals used this water to cultivate a unique underground “black pearl” for people to taste, which attracted many merchants to compete for purchases. This item is the long-renowned “Shuanglian Water Chestnuts.”

　　Shuanglian Water Chestnuts were first produced in the paddy fields southeast of Shuanglian Temple in Shuanglian Township. Later, cultivation gradually expanded to the concentrated production areas primarily in Shuanglian Village and Baihe Village, east of the Shuanglian market town. By the 1980s, they were widely planted and promoted within a ten-kilometer radius of the Shuanglian market town, with the planting area expanding to over 4,200 mu. Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are known for being “large in size, bright in color, crisp in texture, and sweet in taste,” making them one of the famous local specialties of Hubei Province. Before liberation, Shuanglian Temple was bustling with Buddhist activities, and pilgrims from near and far would worship the Buddha and then buy water chestnuts. Thus, Shuanglian Water Chestnuts spread far and wide, with pilgrims naturally becoming their unpaid “salespeople” and “promoters.” It is understood that Shuanglian Water Chestnuts were sold to more than 10 provinces and cities across the country.

　　Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are a high-quality variety adapted to a local microclimate, with strong regional characteristics. Shuanglian Township, the main producing area of Shuanglian Water Chestnuts, is located in the southwestern border of Dangyang City. It has a subtropical monsoon climate, fertile land, mild climate, abundant rainfall, ample sunlight, and sufficient water resources, with a frost-free period of 265 days throughout the year, making it very suitable for the growth and development of water chestnuts. Especially, the soil pH is moderate, and the content of various elements in the soil is conducive to cultivating high-quality water chestnuts. Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are perennial aquatic herbaceous plants. They are oval in shape, with thin, reddish-brown skin. The top has several clustered buds, which are slightly longer than those of ordinary water chestnuts, about 3–4 cm in length. The bottom navel is relatively flat or slightly protruding. They have a sweet taste, crisp and tender flesh, and leave no residue when chewed. Each weighs about 20 grams.

　　Shuanglian Water Chestnuts mature every lunar year in the winter month and are available around the time of Lesser Cold. They are a favorite delicacy for urban and rural residents during the Spring Festival. Compared to ordinary water chestnuts, Shuanglian Water Chestnuts share many similarities but also have their unique qualities. Their water content, total sugar, protein, and various vitamins and other nutritional components are significantly higher than those of ordinary and hybrid water chestnuts. According to analysis by technical departments of the nutritional content of Shuanglian Water Chestnuts, water content accounts for 85.8%, 10.8% higher than ordinary water chestnuts; the edible portion is 82.5%, 0.1% and 1% higher than ordinary water chestnuts; per 10 grams of Shuanglian Water Chestnuts, the calcium, zinc, and iron content is 0.037, 3.71, and 10.6 mg respectively, 0.01, 2.56, and 1.31 mg higher than ordinary water chestnuts, while fat is only 0.14 mg, lower than 0.18 mg in ordinary ones.

　　From the above indicators, it can be seen that the nutritional content of Shuanglian Water Chestnuts is superior to that of ordinary water chestnuts, mainly manifested in higher water content, larger edible portions, higher protein, lower fat, and higher levels of trace elements beneficial to the human body. Especially rich in calcium, zinc, and iron, they are highly beneficial for supplementing calcium, enhancing physical strength, and improving intelligence.

　　Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are not only large, tender, fine-textured, sweet, and fragrant, refreshing to the heart and lungs, but also have high medicinal value. Their leaves, stems, and fruits all have certain medicinal effects. They can quench thirst and reduce heat, warm the middle and benefit qi, eliminate kidney stones, dispel wind toxins, prevent poisoning, treat five types of diaphragm qi, fight cancer, treat conditions such as accidental ingestion of copper objects or uterine bleeding, and when juiced and gargled, can also treat sore throats, prevent colds, and lower blood pressure.

　　Shuanglian Water Chestnuts

　　Region:

　　Hubei

　　Applicant:

　　Wangdian Town Agricultural Service Center, Dangyang City

　　Region:

　　2014

　　Regional Scope

　　Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are produced in villages under the jurisdiction of Wangdian Town, Dangyang City, Hubei Province, including Shuanglian, Yanhe, Baihe, and Quanhe. The regional scope: longitude 110°41′34″ to 111°55′48″, latitude 30°53′53″ to 30°05′00″. It borders Xindian Village to the east, Quanhe Reservoir to the south, Xionghe Village to the west, and borders Yuan’an County to the north. The planting area exceeds 4,000 mu, with an annual output of 10,000 tons. The core planting area is located in Shuanglian Village.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Shuanglian Water Chestnuts are oval in shape, with thin, reddish-brown skin. The top has several clustered buds, which are slightly longer than those of ordinary water chestnuts, about 3–4 cm in length. The bottom navel is relatively flat or slightly protruding. They have a sweet taste, crisp and tender flesh, and leave no residue when chewed. Each weighs about 20 grams. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Shuanglian Water Chestnuts have unique qualities, with water content reaching 85.4%, soluble solids at 12.5%, soluble sugars at 7.84%, and starch at 5.4%. The content of nutrients such as protein and various vitamins is significantly higher than that of ordinary and hybrid water chestnuts, and the content of trace elements beneficial to the human body is high. Especially rich in calcium, zinc, and iron, they are highly beneficial for supplementing calcium, enhancing physical strength, and improving intelligence, making them premium among water chestnuts. 3. Safety Requirements: The production of Shuanglian Water Chestnuts strictly follows the requirements of GB18406.2-2001 (Safety Quality Requirements for Pollution-Free Fruits) and GB/T18407.2-2001 (Safety Quality Requirements for Pollution-Free Production Environments).