Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice

Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice

　　The geographical indication protection area for the agricultural product "Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice" in Huanjiang includes 52 administrative villages across four towns and townships: Xunle Township, Minglun Town, Dongxing Town, and Longyan Township of Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County. It extends east to Baotan Township of Luocheng Mulao Autonomous County, south to Huankui Village of Da’an Township, Yong’an Village and Yongquan Village of Luoyang Town within the county, west to Jiarong Town of Libo County in Guizhou Province, and north to Xiutang Township and Zai bian Township of Congjiang County in Guizhou Province, covering the border area of the Jiulong Mountains. Major production areas include Changbei Village and Shangang Village in Xunle Miao Ethnic Township, as well as high-altitude mountainous regions of Minglun Town, Dongxing Town, and Longyan Township. Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice is a rare and precious cereal crop. Its cultivation preserves the original seed variety, and the only fertilizers used are pig and cow manure, grass ash, and green manure—no chemical fertilizers are applied. Coupled with the cold climate, yields are extremely low, ranging between 200 to 300 kilograms per mu.

　　Historical Background

　　It is said that Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice has been cultivated in Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County since the early Qing Dynasty, boasting a history of over 400 years. "Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice" was once offered as a tribute to the imperial court, along with "Huanjiang Fragrant Glutinous Rice" and "Huanjiang Fragrant Pig." According to the agricultural products section of the "Yibei County Annals" from the Republican era: "Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice belongs to the grain category. Seedlings are transplanted around Grain Rain or sometimes sown at Lixia. Due to the cold climate in the central region, seedlings are transplanted 36 days after sprouting, and the rice is harvested in September for storage. The local climate is cold with large day-night temperature variations, allowing only one crop per year." Because of its superior grain quality, local communities have maintained the original seed variety to this day.

　　Product Taste

　　Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice from Huanjiang Maonan Autonomous County is mainly produced in Changbei Village, Xunle Township. Due to local climatic and water conditions, and the use of primarily organic fertilizer, the rice grains are large. After soaking and steaming, they become translucent, fragrant, sweet, soft, and delicious. Even after two or three days, they remain fresh with unchanged color, aroma, and taste. The fragrance of the sticky rice can be sensed from miles away, making it renowned throughout the region. Rice cooked with this grain is fragrant, soft, delicious, aromatic, and not greasy.

　　Nutritional Value

　　Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice features golden-yellow grains that are large in size. Once hulled, the rice is plump, white, and translucent. The cooked rice is soft, highly glutinous, richly aromatic, and packed with nutrients such as Vitamin B and various trace elements including calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It is highly nutritious. The cooked rice is sweet, soft, richly fragrant, and has an excellent texture, making it suitable for all ages. It enjoys the reputation of "one household cooking rice, the whole village smelling the fragrance." Changbei Fragrant Sticky Rice helps invigorate the spleen, nourish the stomach, supplement qi and blood, and alleviate night sweats. It is an excellent choice for home dining and a great gift item.