Dongquan Sugarcane

Dongquan Sugarcane

　　Sugarcane is divided into two types: sugar cane and fruit cane, with fruit cane further categorized into green-skinned and purple-skinned varieties. Purple-skinned sugarcane is an introduced variety, while green-skinned sugarcane is native to China. Among green-skinned sugarcane, that produced in Dongquan Town, Liucheng County, Liuzhou, is particularly renowned. Dongquan sugarcane originated near the southern gate of the old town (the earthen wall of the Dongquan Patrol Inspectorate) during the Qing Dynasty. Its growth requires ample water and nutrients, so sugarcane farmers plant the cane in ridged fields using water-retaining paddies. The main fertilizer used is human and animal manure, supplemented by peanut meal during the mid-to-late growth stages. Dongquan sugarcane has thin, crisp skin, long and loose internodes, abundant juice, and a sweet taste—it breaks easily when dropped and can even be chewed by elderly people. Due to its crisp texture, some enjoy using it for a gambling game called “sugarcane splitting.” The game involves trimming both ends of the cane, standing it upright, and quickly slicing it downward with a knife before it falls. If the player can split the cane cleanly in half from top to bottom, they win the cane, while the bettors pay for it; if only a piece is sliced off (regardless of size), the bettors win the piece, and the slicer pays. Before liberation, the planted area of Dongquan sugarcane was no more than a thousand mu, with a yield of about 50,000 dan, most of which was transported to Liuzhou, Guilin, Nanning, and other regions, even outside the province, all labeled as “Dongquan Sugarcane” to distinguish it from other green-skinned varieties. The highest production year was 1958, with a planting area reaching 8,000 mu and output exceeding 47,000 tons. After the advent of the commune system, due to extensive management, both quality and yield dropped significantly. Nowadays, it’s hard to find Dongquan sugarcane on the market. (Liuzhou)