Aonao Scallions

Aonao Scallions

Aonao Scallions are a product certified with a Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products.

　　Aonao Scallions are a specialty of Lucheng City, Shanxi Province, named after Aonao Village in Heshi Township where they originated. The production area spans over 50 natural villages across four townships in the region—Heshi Township, Dianshang Town, Zhaidian Town, and Huangniuti Township—situated around the Yunyashan Mountain area. This locale boasts a unique climate, excellent environment, minimal pollution, and a long history of scallion cultivation. The scallions produced here are known for their thick, long stalks, neat and tender texture, white color with fresh quality, and rich nutrition, making them highly favored by consumers. In 2011, they were awarded the Geographical Indication for Agricultural Products by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　The authentic production area of Aonao Scallions is primarily located around the Yunyashan Mountain area in Lucheng City, Shanxi Province. This region features a unique climate, excellent environment, minimal pollution, and a long history of scallion cultivation. Aonao Scallions are distinguished by their strong spicy aroma, lasting flavor that never cloying, thick and long stalks, neat and tender texture, white color with fresh quality, and rich nutrition. They are considered top-tier among scallions and are deeply loved by consumers.

　　Production Environment

　　Lucheng City is located in the southeastern part of Shanxi Province, on the western foothills of the Taihang Mountains and the northeastern edge of the Shangdang Basin. It lies between 112°59′36″ to 113°25′40″ east longitude and 36°14′00″ to 36°29′30″ north latitude, with an elevation ranging from 616 to 1316 meters. The territory consists of plains, hills, and mountainous areas, accounting for 15.6%, 62.8%, and 21.6% of the total area, respectively. The eastern part is mostly mountainous, the central part is predominantly flatland, and the western part is mainly hilly. The highest point is Dayuna at an elevation of 1316.1 meters, while the lowest point is the Xianhe River Valley at 616 meters. All rivers in the area belong to the Haihe River Basin and can be divided into perennial rivers and seasonal rivers. The Zhuozhang South Source and Zhuozhang River are perennial, while the others are seasonal. There are also more than ten major tributaries, including the Danan River, Bailitan River, and Manliu River. Lucheng has a warm temperate climate with distinct seasons, pleasant weather, an average annual temperature of 9.5°C, average annual precipitation of 503.7 mm, average annual sunshine duration of 2434.9 hours, and a frost-free period of 176 days per year. The conditions are ideal for developing efficient three-dimensional agriculture, providing excellent natural conditions for scallion growth.

　　Aonao Scallions

　　Geographic Scope

　　Aonao Scallions are produced in Aonao Village, Heshi Township, located northwest of Lucheng City, Changzhi, Shanxi Province, at an altitude of 1437 meters. This area borders Pingshun County to the east, the suburbs of Changzhi City to the southwest, Xiangyuan County to the northwest, and faces Licheng County across the river to the northeast. It serves as a hub for Lucheng’s connections to Hebei, Henan, and Shandong. The scallion production base extends to over 50 natural villages across four surrounding townships—Heshi Township, Dianshang Town, Zhaidian Town, and Huangniuti Township (between 113°00′ to 113°17′ east longitude and 36°15′ to 36°28′ north latitude). The scallion planting area covers 2000 hectares, with an annual yield of 90,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Aonao Scallions have thick pseudostems and tender leaves, with a crisp, juicy texture. The pseudostems are firm like wood, typically growing to a plant height of 1.2 meters, with a white length of 0.35 meters, a diameter of 0.035 meters, and a single plant weight of over 0.4 kilograms. They possess a distinctive spicy flavor. 2. Unique Internal Composition: Aonao Scallions have relatively comprehensive nutritional content, especially high in trace elements. The white part of the scallion contains 1.7g–2.1g of protein (g/100g), 5.2g–8.9g of carbohydrates (g/100g), 144mg–241mg of potassium (mg/100g), and 29mg–66.7mg of calcium (mg/100g), all higher than the average values of ordinary products. Rich in nutrients and volatile aromatic substances, they also have a high allicin content, giving them powerful antibacterial properties. Used medicinally, they can help prevent and treat more than a dozen diseases, such as killing dysentery bacilli and treating cardiovascular diseases. Scallions are also an inexhaustible source of disinfectant substances. If pathogenic microorganisms enter the human body through food, water, or scallions along with the mouth, digestive tract, or respiratory system, they can be suppressed within minutes and prevented from causing harm. They serve both seasoning and medicinal functions, with a distinctive spicy taste that helps eliminate fishy odors, detoxify, aid digestion, and provide significant dietary therapeutic benefits. The white part of the scallion, when made into a soup, treats cold symptoms associated with typhoid fever, stroke-induced swelling of the ears and eyes, and induces sweating. Scallion juice (also called scallion tears) has similar effects to the white part; when mixed with a little wine and dropped into the nose, it treats persistent nosebleeds. Scallion roots treat issues caused by overeating, sexual exhaustion, blood infiltration into the large intestine, bloody stools, and hemorrhoids. Scallion flowers treat heart and spleen pain. The seeds improve vision and supplement deficiencies in central energy. 3. Safety Requirements: They meet the standards for pollution-free food NY5001-2007.