Shuangfeng Lantern Chili

Shuangfeng Lantern Chili

　　The Shuangfeng County Yongfeng Lantern Chili is large, thick-fleshed, and has tiny seeds. Its shape resembles a lantern, and its flavor is slightly sweet with a spicy kick. It aids digestion, stimulates appetite, regulates bodily secretions, and promotes metabolism, making it an ideal seasoning and a delicious, high-quality vegetable.

The Yongfeng Lantern Chili is usually sown around the beginning of the Lunar New Year, nurtured in a warm bed for two months, and transplanted in March. It requires soil that is neither too wet nor too dry, rich in chlorine, phosphorus, potassium, and humus, with low acidity. Watering should begin when the chilies start to ripen, and they can be harvested around the Dragon Boat Festival. By mid-June, they begin to show a slight red hue, and by the end of the month, they are fully ripe. During this time, if you walk into the chili fields on a breezy day, you’ll be greeted by the scene of “myriad rolling orbs in motion, lightly brushed by a crimson haze.”

The Yongfeng Lantern Chili is not only delicious but also highly nutritious. Each 100 grams contains 0.9 grams of protein, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of calcium, 0.38 grams of phosphorus, 0.5 milligrams of iron, as well as trace amounts of carotene and vitamins.