Zhangxi Taro

Zhangxi Taro

Zhangxi Taro is a protected geographical indication product.

　　    Lechang has a long history of producing high-quality taro, among which Zhangxi Taro from Henan Town is considered the best. Zhangxi Village is located on the right side of the exit of the Jiulong Shiba Tan (Nine Dragons and Eighteen Rapids), with the Xiaodong Zhangxi stream flowing through it. The fields are broad and flat, with deep, fertile, sandy loam soil formed from alluvial deposits. The taro produced here is large, tender, and features betel nut-like patterns. When cooked, it becomes soft as cotton and fragrant, making it a highly sought-after dish for entertaining guests. Many top restaurants in Guangdong Province as well as in Hong Kong and Macau specifically request Zhangxi Taro when preparing “Taro Pork,” a classic dish. Originally cultivated on around 350 acres with an annual output of approximately 280 tons, Zhangxi Taro cultivation has now expanded to over 1,100 acres, yielding up to 900 tons per year. (Shaoguan)

　　     Zhangxi Taro is produced in Beixiang Town, Lecheng Town, Changlai Town, and Langtian Town of Lechang City. The most representative Zhangxi Taro is grown on the right bank of the Wu River near the Lechang Gorge entrance and close to the ruins of Zhaotuo City, specifically in Zhangxi Village, Lecheng Subdistrict, Lechang City, from which the taro gets its name.

　　     The cultivation of Zhangxi Taro has a long history. According to records in the Continuation of the Lechang County Annals revised in the 5th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1666), taro has been cultivated in Lechang for over 340 years. The 1931 revised edition of the Lechang County Annals states: “Among fine taros, yellow taro ranks first, followed by white taro, then red-sprout taro. Southern taro is the best—large, purple-skinned, sandy, and very edible. It is often served alongside sweet potatoes, like rice, and is even called ‘rice of the fields.’” “Southern taro” refers to Zhangxi Taro.

　　    Zhangxi Taro from Lechang City weighs ≥2.5 kg per corm, with a length of ≥30 cm. The taro is spindle-shaped or cylindrical, with a smooth, thin, yellowish-brown skin. Its flesh is dense, powdery, crumbly yet not gritty, rich in taro aroma. It contains ≥4.0% amylose, ≥15.0% amylopectin, and ≥2.0% protein. After being granted protected geographical indication status in 2008, the planting area reached 485 hectares, with a total yield of 9,821 metric tons. The average market price rose to 10 yuan/kg, a 25% increase compared to before protection. The output value per mu exceeded 10,000 yuan, with an average output value of 200,000 yuan per hectare, bringing the total output value to about 97 million yuan and net profit to approximately 84 million yuan, lifting nearly 3,500 farming households out of poverty. Farmers have built reinforced concrete houses commonly known as “Taro Towers,” and their households are equipped with modern appliances. Liquefied gas is used for cooking, and many own cars and motorcycles. The farmers' living standards have reached a moderately prosperous level. Villagers say, “It’s all thanks to Zhangxi Taro.” The development of Zhangxi Taro has significantly boosted rural economic growth. The product sells well in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and the Pearl River Delta region, and has been in high demand year after year.

　　    In 2004, Zhangxi Taro received the Pollution-Free Agricultural Product Certification from the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2006, it was awarded the Participation Certificate at the First Guangdong Modern Agriculture Expo. In 2007, it was honored as one of the “Three Treasures of Shaoguan” and won the “Best Quality Award” in the “Most Favorite Local Specialty (Cultivated)” selection event hosted by Southern Rural News. It also made a remarkable impression at the 2007 Tourism Promotion and Guangdong International Tourism Exhibition.

　　    Currently, the main producers of Zhangxi Taro include: ① Lechang Changsheng Taro Production and Distribution Professional Cooperative: Its registered trademark is “Shell” Taro. In 2008, it obtained pollution-free agricultural product certification from the Ministry of Agriculture, organic food certification in 2011, and in January 2012, its production base was designated as a vegetable supply base for Hong Kong and Macau by the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. In 2012, it was recognized as a provincial-level demonstration cooperative by Guangdong Province, and in 2014, it was designated as a national-level demonstration cooperative by the Ministry of Agriculture. ② Lechang Yuebao Agricultural Products Distribution Professional Cooperative: Its registered trademark is “Taro Across the World.” The cooperative has been awarded the “National Demonstration Farmer Professional Cooperative” by the National Ministry of Agriculture, “Provincial-Level Demonstration Farmer Professional Cooperative” by the Guangdong Department of Agriculture, “Farmer Professional Cooperative Demonstration Unit” by the Shaoguan Agriculture Bureau, and “Shining Star” by the Lechang Municipal Government. It has also earned the title of “National Processing Demonstration Cooperative” from the Ministry of Agriculture, and is recognized as a leading enterprise in Shaoguan. Its taro, water chestnut, and taro strip (slice) series have been named “China Characteristic Agricultural Products.”

　　    The protected geographical indication area for Zhangxi Taro is based on the scope proposed in the “Letter on Suggestions for Delimiting the Production Area of Zhangxi Taro” (Le Fu Han [2007] No. 50) issued by the People’s Government of Lechang City, Guangdong Province. It covers the current administrative regions of four towns in Lechang City: Lecheng Town, Langtian Town, Changlai Town, and Beixiang Town.