Volcanic Arrowroot

Volcanic Arrowroot

Volcanic Arrowroot is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Arrowroot, a perennial vine plant of the legume family, grows in the volcanic region of Datang Town, Qujiang District, Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province—an area rich in natural resources—hence the name “Volcanic Arrowroot.”

　　 Volcanic Arrowroot is a natural, green, health-promoting food known for its high starch content, fiber-free texture, freshness, tenderness, and delicious taste. It is also highly nutritious, being rich in protein, amino acids, and various trace elements. Not only is it an excellent cooking ingredient, but it also offers medicinal benefits such as clearing heat, nourishing the liver, regulating qi, and beautifying the skin.

　　Historical Background

　　Qujiang District in the mountainous northern part of Guangdong has long been known for its “abundant natural resources and talented people,” enjoying prosperity and beautiful landscapes since ancient times. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, people were collecting wild arrowroot from the mountains and weaving its stem fibers into cloth. According to local research, the volcanic area began cultivating arrowroot manually as early as the late Qing Dynasty, gradually developing the superior characteristics of being fiber-free and naturally sweet. This made it famous throughout Guangdong. A poem describes it: “In the scenic volcanic village, arrowroot thrives and its fame spreads far. The aroma of arrowroot-braised pork wafts for miles, its richness soothing the heart and soul. Elders and children dig arrowroot together in leisure, returning home at dusk with arms full. When buyers gather in the evening, the unified sale of arrowroot stirs excitement.”

　　 Culinary Culture

　　Thanks to its fiber-free texture and natural sweetness, Volcanic Arrowroot is rich in protein, amino acids, and various trace elements, and offers benefits such as lubricating the intestines and clearing heat. As a result, it is an essential dish on the dining table and a renowned soup base in Guangdong Province. There are many ways to enjoy Volcanic Arrowroot: it can be sliced thinly for making sweet soups, pork bone soup, braised arrowroot, arrowroot rabbit stew, stir-fried meat slices, or even transformed into candied arrowroot. Among these, making arrowroot-braised pork is particularly exceptional—the dish melts in the mouth, offering a rich, fragrant taste that is truly unique and deeply loved by guests. During festivals and when receiving guests, Volcanic Arrowroot is always a staple dish on local tables. Dishes like Volcanic Arrowroot Braised Fish, Volcanic Arrowroot-braised Pork, Volcanic Arrowroot Pork Trotter Soup, and Steamed Volcanic Arrowroot are signature dishes in restaurants, often featured on major travel and food websites, and are very popular with tourists.

　　Compared to common arrowroot from other regions, Volcanic Arrowroot has higher starch content, is fiber-free, fresh, and tender. Visually, ordinary arrowroot tends to have coarse patterns and may release some liquid, while Volcanic Arrowroot is long and cylindrical, with pointed ends, evenly sized roots, few fibrous roots, no branching, straight shape, slight wrinkles, smooth light yellow skin, milky-white flesh without black core, and is rich in protein, amino acids, and various trace elements. It clears the intestines and cools the body, making it a famous soup base in Guangdong. Once cooked, it emits a rich fragrance, with a soft, tender, slightly sticky texture, sweet flavor, no fiber, and no off-flavors. Dishes like Volcanic Arrowroot Braised Fish, Volcanic Arrowroot-braised Pork, Volcanic Arrowroot Pork Trotter Soup, and Steamed Volcanic Arrowroot are all signature dishes in restaurants, very popular with tourists. Especially when used to make arrowroot-braised pork, it melts in the mouth, offers a rich, fragrant taste that is truly unique, and is deeply loved by guests.

　　Currently, the main producer of Volcanic Arrowroot is the Volcanic Arrowroot Cooperative.

　　The protected geographical indication area for Volcanic Arrowroot covers the current administrative region of Datang Town, Qujiang District, Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province.