Taiyuan Black Lotus

Taiyuan Black Lotus

　　Black Lotus is a specialty of Hengyang County, mainly produced in areas such as Taiyuan and Shanqiao.

　　It gets its name from its grayish-brown or grayish-black surface.

　　The cultivation of Black Lotus in Taiyuan, Shanqiao, and surrounding regions dates back over 3,000 years, reaching its peak during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Renowned worldwide for its plump grains, smooth yet not greasy texture, sweet and fragrant taste, ease of cooking, rich nutrition, and pure delicious flavor, Black Lotus was listed as a tribute in various dynasties.

　　After the reform and opening up, the annual production of lotus seeds in Taiyuan Town exceeded 1,000 tons, with products exported to international markets such as Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Malaysia. This once made Taiyuan one of China’s largest lotus seed trading hubs.

　　Historical records indicate that Hengyang is one of the main lotus-producing regions in Hunan. Among them, the Black Lotus from Taiyuan and Shanqiao stands out as the finest in the city. The "Commercial Official Gazette" published in the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty described Hengyang lotus as “the finest produced anywhere in China.” This was the highest praise and recognition for Black Lotus.