Pingyao Chinese Yam

Pingyao Chinese Yam

Pingyao Chinese Yam is a product with geographical indication status.

　　Pingyao Chinese Yam is internationally known as the "Chinese ginseng" and is a long-renowned local specialty. Its products are rich in nutrients, mild in nature, and sweet in flavor, making them an excellent tonic for fitness, spleen support, and stomach care. These products are exported to regions such as the South Sea Islands, Japan, and San Francisco, USA.

　　Also called Huai Yam, the plant is a perennial twining herbaceous species.

　　Chinese Yam is a highly nutritious food, and when processed, serves as a tonic that strengthens the spleen, nourishes the stomach, and boosts energy. Foreigners refer to it as "Chinese ginseng." Moreover, it offers benefits that ginseng cannot provide. Ginseng is heating and not suitable for young people, but Chinese Yam can be consumed by the elderly, adults, and children alike. Popular dishes such as candied yam threads and honey-glazed yam are especially distinctive at banquets.

　　The “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) states: “Dioscorea is sweet and warm in nature, treats damage to the middle [digestive system], supplements deficiency and emaciation, removes cold and heat pathogens, supplements the center and boosts qi and strength, and promotes muscle growth.” It is an essential tonic in traditional Chinese medicine for fitness, strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the stomach. Also called Dioscorea and Huai Yam, this is a perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plant from the Dioscoreaceae family. It is abundantly produced in counties such as Pingyao and Taigu in Shanxi Province, yielding about 200,000 kilograms of market-ready yams per year. The yams produced in Yuebei Village, Pingyao County, are notable for their thick, long shape, thin skin, and delicate texture, enjoying great fame in the central Shanxi area. Pingyao Chinese Yam is mild in nature without being heating, and is rich in nutrition, making it suitable for consumption by youth, the elderly, women, children, and even infants. According to lab tests, it is high in protein, starch, and essential trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. Pingyao Chinese Yam is not only a prized medicinal herb, but also a purely natural, pollution-free, high-nutrition green food. For many years, it has been exported to markets in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, earning the reputation of “Chinese ginseng” as a premium tonic.

　　Pingyao Chinese Yam

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic indication area for Pingyao Chinese Yam includes 13 administrative villages within Yuebi Township, Dongquan Town, and Ninggu Town of Pingyao County. To the east it reaches Dongyuan Temple Village in Dongquan Town, to the south it extends to Liji Village in Yuebi Township, to the west it reaches Wangguo Village in Ninggu Town, and to the north it includes Dongguo Village in Yuebi Township. The geographical coordinates are longitude 112°12′ to 112°31′ and latitude 37°12′ to 37°21′, covering a protected area of 1,000 hectares, with a total annual yield of 15,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　The tuberous roots of Pingyao Chinese Yam are cylindrical or round in shape, with thick stems and long length. The flesh is tender and white, with a yellowish-brown exterior and multiple rootlets. It is both edible and medicinal. Each 100g of Pingyao Chinese Yam contains approximately 9.92g of protein, 22.43g of starch, and over 2.29g of trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, iron, and phosphorus. In addition to being high in protein, vitamins, and micronutrients, it is also rich in saponins, allantoin, and choline. Starch content is ≥80%, calcium ≥850mg/kg, and iron ≥30mg/kg.