Late-season Choy Sum

Late-season Choy Sum

Late-season Choy Sum is a protected geographical indication product.

Late-season Choy Sum is a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　Zengcheng Late-season Choy Sum, a national geographical indication product, is a traditional farm-grown variety from Zengcheng with a long cultivation history, often hailed as the “King of Choy Sum.” Grown and harvested in winter, it takes 90 to 120 days before it can be picked. Since it only hits the market in the depths of winter—later than regular choy sum—it is called “late-season” choy sum. As the saying goes: “When the Winter Solstice comes, choy sum turns sweet.”

　　Quality Characteristics: The leaves are green or light green, with either wrinkled or slightly wrinkled surfaces and clearly visible veins on the underside; leaf stems are white or pale green. The leaves, stems, and shoots are coated with a waxy white powder. The shoots have grooves, with the main shoot being 35–45 cm long and 2–3.3 cm in diameter, weighing about 250 grams. They are green or light green, abundant in flower buds, sweet and tender with little fiber, fragrant, crisp, and refreshing. They contain ≥1.1% total sugar, ≥450 mg Ca per 1000 g, and water content between 95.0% and 91.0%. Nutritionally rich, they are high in vitamins, calcium, zinc, and other nutrients. They help dilute and flush out intestinal toxins, treat constipation, prevent colorectal cancer, enhance beauty and health, improve immunity, and strengthen the body’s defenses.

　　Regional Uniqueness of the Product: Zengcheng is a hilly region traversed by the Tropic of Cancer. Located in the southern subtropical zone, it enjoys a maritime monsoon climate—mild temperatures, abundant heat, ample sunlight, and plentiful rainfall. The average annual temperature is 21.6°C. Most of Zengcheng’s arable land consists of alluvial and sedimentary soils from the Pearl River Delta, primarily loamy and sandy loam. This unique geographical environment provides ideal growing conditions for Zengcheng Late-season Choy Sum. The resulting produce is known for its sweet juice, smooth texture, and lack of grit. It is the most distinctive among traditional premium agricultural products and enjoys high recognition in the Pearl River Delta region. In 2009, the Zengcheng municipal government rated Zengcheng Late-season Choy Sum as one of Zengcheng’s “Ten Treasures” agricultural products and registered it as a national geographical indication trademark. In November 2010, the China National Quality Supervision and Inspection Administration included Zengcheng Late-season Choy Sum in the list of protected geographical indication products. With broad sales potential and market prospects, Zengcheng Late-season Choy Sum is gradually becoming a signature industry for Zengcheng’s economy, significantly boosting local economic development.

　　Processing Features: Dried Late-season Choy Sum. The practice of drying Zengcheng Late-season Choy Sum has a long history. It makes an excellent soup ingredient, imparting a mellow broth with a strong choy sum aroma and offering medicinal benefits such as clearing the heart, moistening the lungs, reducing heat, and detoxifying.