Qingshui Black Fungus

Qingshui Black Fungus

Qingshui black fungus is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Black fungus typically grows on broadleaf miscellaneous trees such as oak, cork oak, Michelia obovata, and Quercus. Qingshui black fungus from Lishan is of particularly high quality and can be consumed or used in traditional herbal medicine.

　　Qingshui black fungus is shaped like a "flying insect" and resembles a "swallow." Not only is its texture delicate, crisp, and smooth, but it is also rich in nutrients, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, various vitamins, and inorganic salts. It is an indispensable food in people's daily lives. Due to its comprehensive and abundant nutritional content, Qingshui black fungus is hailed as the "meat among vegetables."

　　Qingshui black fungus is produced in the decayed wood of cork oak, Quercus serrata, Quercus acutissima, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, and maple trees from the Fagaceae family found in the Zhongtiao, Taiyue, and Taihang mountain ranges of Qingshui County, Shanxi Province. It is a mesophilic fungus. Black fungus is one of the most popular edible fungi among Chinese people and has a long history of cultivation and harvesting. Qingshui black fungus is shaped like a "flying insect" and resembles a "swallow." Not only is its texture delicate, crisp, and smooth, but it is also rich in nutrients, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, various vitamins, and inorganic salts. It is an indispensable food in people's daily lives. The nutritional content of Qingshui black fungus is significantly higher than that of common foods of the same type. Its protein content is comparable to that of meat and contains a variety of essential amino acids required by the human body. It also has a very high vitamin content, especially vitamin B2, which exceeds that of rice, flour, vegetables, and meat. The iron content—vital for the structure of hemoglobin in red blood cells—is 100 times higher than that of meat. Its phosphorus content is also higher than that of meat, and its calcium content is 30–70 times greater than that of meat. Due to its comprehensive and abundant nutritional profile, Qingshui black fungus is hailed as the "meat among vegetables."

　　Qingshui black fungus is not only a cooking ingredient but also has medicinal value. As early as the Ming Dynasty, the physician Li Shizhen recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Black fungus grows on decaying wood, is sweet and mild in nature, and is primarily used to benefit qi, relieve hunger, lighten the body, strengthen the mind, and treat hemorrhoids, bloody dysentery, and other conditions." Long-term consumption helps adsorb insoluble fibers, dust particles, and other substances in the digestive system, clearing out impurities in the stomach and intestines, thereby providing a moistening effect on the lungs and a cleansing function. It has the benefits of enriching blood, promoting circulation, calming the nerves, and relieving pain. It can treat symptoms such as hemorrhoidal bleeding, uterine bleeding, and postpartum weakness. Because black fungus helps moisten the lungs and cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, it is also considered a health food for textile workers, miners, barbers, and others.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Qingshui black fungus is produced in Qingshui County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. The protected production area includes 14 towns and townships: Zhongcun Town, Tuwo Township, Zhangcun Township, Longgang Town, Fancunhe Township, Suzhuang Township, Zhengzhuang Town, Duan Shi Town, Jiafeng Town, Zhengcun Town, Hudi Township, Guxian Township, Shili Township, and Shizhuang Town, covering a total of 251 administrative villages. The protected area's geographical coordinates are between 112°47′–115°55′ east longitude and 35°24′–36°04′ north latitude. It spans approximately 150 kilometers from east to west and about 55 kilometers from north to south, covering a total protected area of 1,170 square kilometers.