Lipu Taro

Lipu Taro, the best Lipu Taro comes from Lipu County, Guilin City, Guangxi Province. It is a local specialty, a nationally recognized geographical indication product, and was an imperial tribute during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era.

　　Among all types of taro, Lipu Taro is the most delicious. It is produced in Lipu County, Guilin City. The tubers are large and highly nutritious. When cut open, the flesh is covered with fine red veins, similar to the pattern of betel nuts—hence, in cultivation science, it is called "betel nut taro." The main tuber is oval-shaped, with 5 to 8 smaller offshoots. The main tuber is the primary product, generally weighing between 1000 and 1500 grams, with larger ones reaching up to 2500 grams. High-quality Lipu Taro has white, soft flesh. It is rich in protein, carbohydrates (starch), high in calcium, and contains certain vitamins. When sliced thinly, deep-fried, and served with minced pork as “red-braised stuffed pork,” it has a unique flavor, the meat remains non-greasy, and it is a delicacy at banquets. When boiled, peeled, and placed in a hot pan with lard, sugar, and a small amount of powdered milk, it is pressed into a sweet taro dish that is fragrant, soft, and sweet. Mixed with fish, meat, chicken, winter bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and lightly fried in oil, it becomes crispy, savory, and delicious.

　　Lipu Taro was once the top choice among Guangxi’s tribute offerings to the royal court at the end of the year. It reached its peak especially during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era.

　　As the main traditional product of Lipu County, Lipu Taro is cultivated in all 13 towns across the county, with the most production in Qingshan, Xinping, Dumo, and Xiuren. After 2000, cultivation gradually expanded from the original few thousand acres to tens of thousands of acres, reaching over 40,000 acres by 2010. Thanks to the application of biotechnology, careful selection, and the purification and rejuvenation of Lipu Taro, the quality has been improved. The seedlings now produced not only retain the original taste of Lipu Taro but also significantly increase yield, with an average yield of 2500 kilograms per mu, and a maximum of 3300 kilograms per mu. The quality is exceptionally high, with a market price of 5–6 yuan per kilogram, and demand far exceeds supply.

　　Known as the “Imperial Tribute,” Lipu Taro is a major traditional product of Lipu County and one of its key pillar industries. The taro has delicate flesh, a unique flavor, and is highly nutritious, containing refined protein, starch, various vitamins, and minerals. It helps boost qi, nourish kidneys, and strengthen the spleen and stomach. It is not only an excellent ingredient for making snacks and gourmet dishes but also a nutritious tonic. A growing variety of Lipu Taro processed foods are available, and the products sell well both domestically and internationally. The “Lipu Taro” certification trademark was registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in April 2000.

　　Due to its high starch content and unique aromatic fragrance, Lipu Taro can be processed into taro powder and dozens of food products, taking advantage of its fragrant, crispy, powdery, sticky, sweet, and delicious qualities. The taro can also be peeled, blanched, packaged, and quick-frozen for export, offering a very promising market outlook and is favored by consumers both at home and abroad.

　　Lipu Taro, as Guangxi’s top choice among imperial tribute offerings, was presented at royal ceremonies at the end of the year. It reached its peak especially during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era.

　　Lipu Taro is distinctly different from South Taro and Water Taro. Lipu Taro is oval-shaped, resembling the spindles used by women in the past for weaving. It weighs from a few taels to one or two jin (500g–1kg), or even up to five or six jin (2.5–3kg). The skin is rough and brown, with short distances between nodes, and the flesh shows clear betel nut patterns with a strong aroma. South Taro is longer, nearly cylindrical, mostly under one jin (500g), though some weigh two or three jin (1–1.5kg). Its skin is also brown but smoother, with longer distances between nodes, and the flesh lacks distinct betel nut patterns, with a lighter aroma. As for Water Taro, it is small, usually a few taels, with a large head and small tail, blackish-brown skin, and no betel nut patterns or aroma. Once you know the characteristics of Lipu Taro, it’s not hard to distinguish the real from the fake.

　　In accordance with the “Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products,” the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine organized a review of the Lipu Taro geographical indication product protection application. Upon passing the review, it was approved to implement geographical indication product protection for Lipu Taro starting December 28, 2005 (Announcement No. 193, 2005).

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected geographic indication area for Lipu Taro agricultural products includes Dongchang Town, Xinping Town, Dumo Town, Lipu Town, Qingshan Town, Xiuren Town, Datang Town, Huagang Town, Shuangjiang Town, Maoling Town, Longhuai Township, Chacheng Township, and Pulu Township, covering 10 towns and 3 townships with 141 villages. It spans from Sigong Village in the east to Xialong Village in the west, Longping Village in the north, and Rongdong Village in the south. The geographical coordinates are between 110°06′ to 110°41′ east longitude and 24°18′ to 24°46′ north latitude. The Lipu Taro planting area covers 3,330 hectares, with an annual output of 70,000 tons.