Xiangzhou Red Rice

Xiangzhou Red Rice

Xiangzhou Red Rice is a geographically indicated agricultural product.

　　Xiangzhou County has a long history of red rice cultivation. Historical records indicate that it was grown as early as the Song Dynasty before the 13th century. In the past, the Zhuang language referred to it as "flower rice," which only the wealthy could afford due to its low yield and limited planting area. Known for its superior quality, rich nutritional and health benefits, pleasant taste, and high nutritional value, it is highly favored by the market, with products sold across the region and exported to Hong Kong and Macau.

　　This variety features reddish-brown unpolished rice and light red polished rice. When cooked, it emits a strong aroma reminiscent of Lipu taro from Guangxi. The rice is of high quality. According to analysis by the National Rice Product Quality Supervision, Inspection and Testing Center under the Ministry of Agriculture, the main quality indicators of the leading Xiangzhou Red Rice variety, Kede You 33, are as follows: brown rice rate 81.2%, milled rice rate 67.6%, length-width ratio 3.1, chalky rice rate 10%, chalkiness degree 1.2%, gel consistency 61mm, amylose content 12.2%. With the exception of a slightly lower amylose content, all other indicators meet the national first-class rice standards. Kede Youhong 33 not only surpasses the main quality indicators of Guangxi’s key premium rice varieties but also contains higher levels of key health-promoting components: Vitamin B1 and B2 are 30%-60% higher than the control, total Vitamin E is 5.3 times that of the control, β-carotene content is 10mg/100g, anthocyanin content is 4.75mg/100g, flavonoid compounds are 10.2 times higher than the control, and selenium content is 217% of the control. Medical and nutritional research shows that Vitamin B1 aids appetite and digestion, and helps maintain normal nervous system function; Vitamin B2 helps with diuresis and edema reduction, prevents peroxidized lipid formation, and inhibits the progression of arteriosclerosis; flavonoids and anthocyanins offer benefits such as delaying aging, eliminating free radicals, preventing cardiovascular diseases, boosting immunity, providing anti-inflammatory effects, and improving diabetes; β-carotene may significantly reduce the risk of prostate, lung, and liver cancers. Therefore, Kede Youhong rice offers excellent health benefits. Multiple tasting sessions have shown that experts unanimously agree Kede Youhong 33 rice emits a fragrant aroma similar to Lipu taro when cooked. It delivers deliciously aromatic rice and porridge suitable for all ages.

　　In 2004, Xiangzhou County obtained certification for 217,800 mu of pollution-free rice production areas. In 2004, 2009, and 2012, it was awarded the title of “National Advanced County in Grain Production” by the Ministry of Agriculture. In 2009 and 2011, it received the title of “Advanced County in Grain Production in the Autonomous Region” from the regional government. In May 2012, it was granted geographical indication certification for agricultural products by the Ministry of Agriculture.

　　To better protect the premium brand of Xiangzhou Red Rice, leverage industrial advantages, achieve brand-driven impact, and grow the Xiangzhou Red Rice industry, this year Xiangzhou County decided to apply for geographical indication status for Xiangzhou Red Rice through the county’s extension station to the Ministry of Agriculture. The protected geographical area covers all 11 townships in the county. The purpose of this expert visit is to comprehensively evaluate the application conditions for the Xiangzhou Red Rice geographical indication.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The geographical protection area for the Xiangzhou Red Rice geographical indication includes the administrative regions of 11 townships within Xiangzhou County: Maping, Shilong, Xiangzhou, Miaohuang, Yunjiang, Sicun, Zhongping, Baizhang, Luoxiu, Dale, and Shuijing. It extends east to Tonggeng Village in Dale Township, south to Dasuo Village in Miaohuang Township, west to Datang Village in Shilong Township, and north to Mitang Village in Shuijing Township. The geographic coordinates are between 109°25′–110°06′ east longitude and 23°44′–24°18′ north latitude. The production area spans 1,680 hectares, with an annual output of 20,160 metric tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Features of Xiangzhou Red Rice: Xiangzhou Red Rice comes in both long-grain and short-grain types, with the main varieties being Kede Youhong 33 and Hongxiang Japonica. Kede Youhong 33 has an average plant height of 116.1cm, panicle length of 24.8cm, and 126.4 grains per panicle. The grains average 8.3mm in length and 2.21mm in width, with a length-width ratio of 4.0. The grains are yellow, with slight curvature from tip to belly, and the hulls are easily cracked. The average weight per 1,000 grains is 18.3g. The polished rice averages 6.0mm in length and 1.7mm in width, with a length-width ratio of 3.5. The rice husk is reddish-brown and the core is white. The cooked rice has an aroma similar to betel nut taro, a moderate texture, does not harden when cooled, and when used for porridge, the broth is thick and the grains expand significantly. Hongxiang Japonica grains average 5.6mm in length and 2.8mm in width, with a length-width ratio of 2.0. The rice husk is reddish-brown and the core is white. The cooked rice is moderately sticky and slightly firm. (2) Internal Quality Indicators of Xiangzhou Red Rice: For Kede Youhong 33, vitamin content ranges from 9.40mg/100g to 10.50mg/100g, total flavonoids from 59mg/100g to 65mg/100g, β-carotene from 0.55mg/100g to 0.60mg/100g, and anthocyanins from 14mg/100g to 16mg/100g. For Hongxiang Japonica, vitamin content ranges from 14.2mg/100g to 15.0mg/100g, total flavonoids from 118mg/100g to 125mg/100g, β-carotene from 0.50mg/100g to 0.55mg/100g, and anthocyanins from 16.5mg/100g to 17.0mg/100g. (3) Safety and hygiene indicators of Xiangzhou Red Rice comply with non-polluting agricultural product regulations.