Qin Tang Lotus Root

Qin Tang Lotus Root

Qin Tang lotus root is a product certified with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Qin Tang lotus root is a specialty of Qin Tang District in Guigang, Guangxi.

　　Qin Tang lotus root is a renowned local delicacy in Guangxi, often hailed as the “King of Lotus Roots” for its tender texture, fragrant aroma, and soft yet fluffy taste. It has gained fame both within and beyond the region. During the Qing Dynasty, it was even presented as a tribute to the imperial court.

　　There is a beautiful legend about Qin Tang lotus root: it is said that in ancient times, in Guixian County (now Guigang), there was a boundless pond where an evil dragon caused storms and turmoil, bringing great suffering to the villagers. On the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the Lotus Fairy descended to the mortal world to eliminate the menace. She planted lotuses all around the pond, successfully luring out the dragon and subduing it. In the fierce battle, the Lotus Fairy was seriously wounded, and her blood dripped into the pond. Soon after, the lotus roots in the pond turned purple all over. To this day, the locals in the Qin Tang area still follow the tradition of offering six-steamed cakes to the Lotus Fairy.

　　Qin Tang lotus root can be prepared in various ways, such as stir-fried with fermented red tofu, simmered in a long-boiled pork bone soup, or made into lotus root powder and mixed with water to form a paste for eating.

　　Locals believe that the best way to enjoy the fragrance of lotus root while savoring its soft and fluffy texture, all while preserving its rich nutrients, is through a long-boiled lotus root and pork bone soup. As a result, every restaurant in Qin Tang Town has a tradition: during the fresh lotus root season, they prepare a pot of this soup every day. The soup is made using premium fresh pork leg bones and pork spine, and the lotus root is always freshly harvested in the morning, then simmered over a coal fire for three to four hours. The resulting soup and lotus root are both exceptionally delicious.

　　In Guigang, Qin Tang Dahuang Lotus Root Powder is also one of the traditional delicacies. According to local records, the production of Qin Tang Dahuang Lotus Root Powder has a history of over a thousand years and became widely famous during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period. To make the powder, freshly harvested lotus roots are first thoroughly washed and dried, then ground into powder in a special mortar. Alternatively, the lotus root sections can be removed, crushed in a blender or stone mortar, and then mixed with water and ground into a fine slurry using a stone mill. While this method is more efficient, the quality is not as good as that produced manually. Once the slurry is ready, it is poured into clean cloth bags and continuously kneaded and beaten in a water tank to allow the starch to seep out through the fabric until the liquid that filters out becomes clear water. The starch is then left to soak in water for a day to settle, after which any fine lotus root residue floating on the surface is skimmed off. This process is repeated two or three times before the starch slurry is finally bagged and hung up to drain. The final step is to crush the lotus root powder into clumps and dry them in the sun. Whether made by hand or machine, one rule must always be followed: only as much lotus root as can be processed into powder that day is harvested, and it must all be used the same day—never left overnight.

　　Fresh Qin Tang Dahuang Lotus Root Powder is light flesh-colored, gradually turning light red or reddish-brown after 3–5 months, with the color deepening the longer it is stored. To consume, mix the powder with cold water until smooth, then add an appropriate amount of sugar and pour boiling water over it to form a paste. The resulting paste is purplish-red, crystal-clear, and has a smooth and delicate texture. Qin Tang Dahuang Lotus Root Powder not only tastes great but also offers health benefits such as nourishing the spleen, boosting energy, combating aging, strengthening vitality, and fortifying muscles and bones. In the folk medicine of Guigang, it is commonly used to treat dysentery. For red dysentery, it is cooked with brown sugar, and for white dysentery, it is cooked with white sugar.

　　Qin Tang lotus root is slightly sweet and crisp, suitable for eating raw or cooking, and it also has high medicinal value. Every part of the plant—the roots, leaves, flowers, stems, and fruits—is considered precious and can be used for nourishment or medicine.

　　When made into powder, lotus root can aid digestion, relieve diarrhea, stimulate appetite, clear heat, nourish the body, prevent internal bleeding, and serves as an excellent liquid food and nourishing delicacy for women, children, the elderly, and those who are weak or ill. During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, it was designated as an imperial tribute.

　　Region: Guangxi

　　Applicant: Guigang City Qin Tang District Agricultural Technology Extension Center

　　Year: 2014

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected area for Qin Tang lotus root is located in Qin Tang District in the southeastern part of Guangxi, covering ten towns including Qin Tang Town, Donglong Town, Sanli Town, Huanglian Town, Shika Town, Wuli Town, Shanbei Township, Zhangmu Township, Menggong Township, and Dalin Township. The protected area lies between 108°58′ and 109°18′ east longitude, and 22°48′ and 23°25′ north latitude. It borders Gangbei District to the east, is adjacent to Binyang County and Hengxian County to the west, faces Gangnan District across the Yu River to the south, and borders Wuxuan County and Xingbin District of Laibin City to the north. The total border length is 217.6 kilometers, with a width of 31.2 kilometers from east to west and a length of 69.6 kilometers from north to south. The protected area spans 12,000 hectares, with an annual production of 110,000 tons.