Maixi Carp

Maixi Carp

Maixi Carp is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Maixi Carp originates from Maichi and Baixilang ponds in Guxi Village, collectively known as Maixi Pond, hence its name. Due to its unique growing environment, Maixi Carp features a slender head, small mouth, high and prominent shoulders, a round and plump belly, and delicious taste. It is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Maixi Carp, produced in Maichi and Maichi ponds in Dawan, Gaoyao, has been renowned since the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398). The carp has a slender head, small mouth, high and prominent shoulders, a round and plump belly, and a soft body. Along both sides of its body are three gleaming golden lines extending from the gills to the tail. More remarkably, Maixi Carp does not have special fry; ordinary carp placed in Maichi and Maichi ponds and raised for sufficient time will transform into Maixi Carp. Conversely, if Maixi Carp are moved to other fish ponds, they will revert to ordinary carp within about a year and a half.

　　Maixi Carp is uniquely prepared, especially when steamed. To preserve its original flavor, avoid adding ginger, scallions, or soy sauce—just a little salt, cooking oil, and dried tangerine peel is enough. It has tender, smooth flesh that is sweet, fragrant, and free of fishy taste. The market price is about 20 to 30 yuan per jin. (Zhaoqing)

　　Maixi Carp gets its name from being produced in Maichi and Baixilang ponds (collectively known as Maixi Pond) in Guxi Village, Dawan Town, Gaoyao City, Guangdong Province. The ecology of Maixi Pond is very unique: originally farmland, after the early rice harvest, farmers leave the rice stubble and then introduce mountain spring water to raise fish. The pond naturally grows abundant wild food such as small water chestnuts, hemp seeds, and reeds, so the Maixi Carp can grow fat and strong without artificial feeding, and their meat is free of muddy flavors. Although these fish don’t need to worry about meals, they must work hard to get food, especially because the hemp seeds are buried in the mud, which requires them to move a lot while foraging—thus improving the quality of their meat. As a result, Maixi Carp has tender and delicious flesh.

　　In addition to its natural food source, the pond’s soil contains various minerals, there are hot spring vents at the bottom, and the deeper parts of the pond have piles of sunken wood from primeval forests—all providing a premium, unpolluted natural environment for the growth of Maixi Carp. This irreplaceable geographical trait makes it difficult to expand the pond area, contributing to the rarity and value of Maixi Carp. In March 2012, Maixi Pond was awarded the title of “Pollution-Free Agricultural Product Origin” by the Guangdong Provincial Oceanic and Fishery Bureau.

　　Maixi Carp lives in a unique environment; no special fry are needed for breeding—ordinary carp placed in Maixi Pond will become Maixi Carp after sufficient time. Conversely, if Maixi Carp are moved to another fish pond, they will turn back into ordinary carp within six months to a year.

　　Maixi Carp has a slender head, small mouth, high and prominent shoulders, a round and plump belly, with golden specks along both sides of its body, silvery-white scales that shrink into small grains when cooked, and flesh that is tender, juicy, and chicken-like in texture, with a sweet honey flavor and delicious aroma. A poem summarizes its characteristics: “Golden lines string silver scales on both sides, fish bones hold jade and the belly is full of fat; short head, compact shoulders, tender and smooth meat, great taste that enriches blood and beautifies.” The villagers of Guxi Village have a unique way of preparing Maixi Carp, mainly by steaming. They simply split the fish in half, season it lightly with a bit of salt, oil, and dried tangerine peel, and the resulting dish has tender, sweet, and fragrant meat—completely free of fishy odor even without ginger, scallions, or wine.

　　The production area of Maixi Carp covers the current administrative region of Dawan Town, Gaoyao City, Guangdong Province.