Yaoshan Stone Leek

Yaoshan Stone Leek

　　Yaoshan Stone Leek Product Introduction

　　Stone leek is a specialty of Yaoshan—a wild vegetable. The scientific name of stone leek is broadleaf Chinese chives. It belongs to the Allium genus of the Liliaceae family. Its appearance and aroma are similar to regular chives, resembling garlic yet not quite, and leeks but not entirely. The long leaves have a very distinct midrib, giving it a distinctly wild character. It grows in crevices among rocks by mountain streams or in damp, shaded areas near mountain pits. It is very particular about its living environment, thriving only in places with excellent water quality and flowing water, which is why its yield is low. Both the tender leaves, mature leaves, and flower stalks are edible, offering a delightful taste that is sweet, fresh, and crisp, with minimal spiciness. It can eliminate the fishy smell from meat and fish and can be stir-fried directly or used as a filling. It is considered a premium wild vegetable among the people of Yaoshan. Dishes such as smoked meat stir-fried with stone leek and stone leek scrambled eggs are especially colorful, fragrant, and flavorful. They are refreshing, delicious, not greasy, and can be eaten in abundance without causing internal heat. With their high vitamin and fiber content, they are a treasure for urban white-collar workers. This vegetable also has good medicinal value—the root, which tastes pungent, helps disperse blood stasis and invigorate blood circulation, as well as regulate qi and remove stagnation. The leaf, which tastes sweet, pungent, and slightly salty, benefits the liver and strengthens the stomach.

　　Stone leek is native to Shizhui Ridge, the second highest peak in Guangdong at 1,888 meters above sea level in Ruyuan’s Nanling Mountains. Shizhui Ridge gets its name from the fact that the mountainsides are covered with “stone leek” growing out of crevices. Ruyuan County is located in the mid-subtropical mountainous region, with abundant rainfall, ample sunlight, fresh air, and superior ecological resources—making it an ideal area for pollution-free, organic cultivation of stone leek. Stone leek grown in the mountainous region grows quickly and contains high levels of nutritionally active substances. Every 100 grams of the edible part contains 1.62 grams of protein, 0.26 grams of fat, 0.05 grams of total acid, 1.19 grams of crude fiber, 8.1 grams of dry matter, 1.49 grams of reducing sugar, 5.7 milligrams of vitamin C, 1.56 grams of total amino acids, 3.24 milligrams of iron, 70.89 milligrams of calcium, and 0.44 milligrams of zinc.

　　Stone leek is cultivated in areas such as Dongping, Youxi, Bibei, and Yilu towns in Ruyuan County. Major producing entities include the Ruyuan Ecological Technology Park of Shaoguan Yuehuang Eco-Technology Co., Ltd., the Yao Source Vegetable Planting and Breeding Professional Cooperative in Bibeitown, Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, the Yichang Vegetable Planting Professional Cooperative in Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, and the Yingyuan Planting Professional Cooperative in Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County.

　　Introduction to Yaoshan Stone Leek Producing Entities

　　Shaoguan Yuehuang Eco-Technology Co., Ltd.: Committed to original ecological, green, organic, and circular eco-agriculture, the company focuses on eco-agricultural industries. It boasts a pragmatic, capable team in production, marketing, management, and research. The Yuehuang Eco-Agricultural Science and Technology Park is located within the Xin Qiao Mountain scenic area of the Guangdong Tianjing Mountain (AAA) National Forest Park, at the southern foot of the Nanling Mountain Range in Luoyang Town, Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, Shaoguan City. Covering an area of 4,000 mu, it leverages the excellent ecological environment of Tianjing Mountain to function as an eco-agricultural science and technology park integrating leisure, scientific research, and popular science education. The company’s core business utilizes the outstanding ecological environment of Tianjing Mountain to engage in the breeding of Chinese forest frogs, stone frogs, insect bait, high-quality mountain chickens, and stream ducks, as well as the development and processing of organic fertilizers, cultivation, management, and deep processing of green wild vegetables. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, urban dwellers can enjoy forest bathing, savor forest cuisine, rest in eco-friendly wooden cabins, experience natural farming, explore small streams, and quietly appreciate the beauty of nature. The Yuehuang Eco-Agricultural Science and Technology Park maintains a complete and scientific quality management system. In recent years, the company has increased capital investment and actively engaged in industry-academia-research collaborations with universities and research institutions across the province and beyond, carrying out technological breakthroughs and product development. To date, 31 provincial and municipal scientific research projects have been approved. The company is dedicated to developing and exploring an integrated production and operation model suitable for the mountainous regions of northern Guangdong—one that combines three-dimensional circular eco-breeding and planting with eco-tourism development. It promotes a “company-base-farmer” production model, expands production scale, and strives to improve the economic income and living standards of people in mountainous areas. The integrity, strength, and product and service quality of the Ruyuan Yuehuang Eco-Agricultural Science and Technology Park of Shaoguan Yuehuang Eco-Technology Co., Ltd. have earned recognition in the industry.