Top Radish

Shicao Top Radish

Shicao Top Radish is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Shicao Top Radish is a specialty of Beibei District in Chongqing.

　　Shicao Top Radish has been cultivated since the Qing Dynasty. A local legend from the Shicao area tells of a scholar surnamed Lei from Fenghuang Village who ranked second in the imperial examinations but was so honest and upright in his official duties that one day, while accompanying the emperor on an inspection tour, he advised the emperor on the hardships suffered by the common people and denounced corrupt officials for ruining the court. This angered the emperor, who was in a foul mood due to the tour and grew extremely impatient. Unable to tolerate it any longer, the emperor pointed at a field planted with radishes by the roadside and said, “Since you dislike the court so much, you might as well return home to farm. I shall bestow upon you the radish seeds from this field to take back with you. With your abilities, you should be able to grow even tastier radishes in your hometown.” The scholar then returned home and began cultivating radishes, discovering that Shicao had ideal natural advantages for growing them, including high altitude and soil conditions well-suited for radish cultivation. The radishes grown there were crisp and sweet when eaten raw, and tender and melt-in-the-mouth when cooked — making it a great place for radish farming. Since then, the Shicao area has primarily focused on radish cultivation as a staple vegetable, mostly for local consumption. According to the Beibei District Annals of Chongqing, “In the 1960s, varieties such as Fuling Shaguan Radish, Longchang Radish, and April Radish were introduced. Starting in the 1970s, a Shicao radish seed base was established in Longche Village, Shishang Township, gradually achieving professional seed production, standardized use of improved seeds, and quality control in seed production.” The Longfengqiao Town Annals record that “Shicao Top Radish, known for its sweet, crisp taste and tender, melt-in-the-mouth texture, enjoyed strong market demand and became a well-known brand in Beibei District.”

　　Location: Chongqing

　　Applicant: Chongqing Shicao Top Vegetable Professional Cooperative

　　Year designated: 2013

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for Shicao Top Radish includes four villages: Fenghuang Village and Longche Village in Longfengqiao Subdistrict, and Wuxin Village and Zhongxin Village in Tianfu Town, all within Beibei District, Chongqing. It stretches from Longche Village in the south to Wuxin Village in the north, with geographical coordinates between 106.24°18′16″—106.30°12′24″ east longitude and 29°27′39″—29°30′36″ north latitude. The area covers 333 hectares, with an annual yield of 30,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Shicao Top Radish is flat and pear-shaped, measuring 7–9 cm in length and 10–12 cm in diameter, weighing 0.6–1 kg per unit. Both skin and flesh are ivory white, smooth and delicate. When eaten raw, it is crisp and sweet; when cooked, it becomes tender and melts in the mouth. 2. Unique Internal Composition: Vitamin C ≥ 20 mg/100g, fiber ≤ 22%, dry matter ≥ 5.5%, soluble sugar ≥ 8.5%, indicating excellent quality. 3. Quality and Safety Standards: The production environment must comply with the Non-Environmental Pollution Vegetables Production Environment Criteria (NY5010), and the product quality must meet the Non-Environmental Pollution Root Vegetable Standards (NY5082-2005).