Fuling mustard tuber

Fuling mustard tuber

Fuling mustard tuber is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Fuling mustard tuber is a famous specialty of Fuling District in Chongqing. It boasts characteristics such as thick, tender, and crisp flesh, minimal fibers, high quality, and rich nutrients. It serves not only as premium raw material for making Fuling pickled mustard tubers but also as a nutritious, seasonal vegetable. When cooked by boiling, stir-frying, pickling, or soaking, it remains deliciously fragrant and is beloved by people across the country.

　　After the successful registration of the "Fuling Mustard Tuber" geographical indication certification trademark in December 2009, the region fully leveraged the two prestigious brands — "Fuling Pickled Mustard Tubers" and "Fuling Mustard Tuber" — to vigorously promote the dual launch and upgrade of both the fresh market and semi-processed product market for Fuling mustard tubers. This significantly enhanced the market leverage function of the geographical indication certification trademark, resulting in markedly higher fresh-market prices for Fuling mustard tubers compared to similar products from other regions.

　　In addition to being the main ingredient for Fuling pickled mustard tubers, Fuling mustard tuber is also one of the staple vegetables for people in Bashu during winter. It can be pickled, stir-fried, braised, mixed, or used in soups, offering a variety of cooking methods.

　　One way to enjoy it is pickled mustard tuber: Peel off the tough outer skin of the mustard tuber, wash it, and cut it into small pieces. Place them in a pickle jar that has been seasoned with Fuling’s unique red radish. The next day, you can take them out, slice or shred them, revealing a beautiful red-and-white color. They are crisp, tender, refreshing, and fragrant. You can even enjoy a small bowl on their own. During the cold winter, people love to stew a pot of nourishing meat soup (with ribs, pig’s feet, chicken, or beef). While sipping the richly aromatic broth, adding these crisp, freshly pickled mustard tubers makes the experience blissful and truly enjoyable. (Source: 97i Sichuan Flavor Food Network)

　　Another way is stir-fried mustard tuber: Slice the tuber, blanch it briefly in boiling water, then drain and dry. Stir-fry dried chili peppers in oil until slightly charred, then add chopped ginger and garlic to release their aroma. Finally, add the mustard tuber slices and season with MSG and salt. The tubers are smooth on the palate with a hint of bitterness and a refreshing green color. They make an excellent side dish.

　　The bumpy mustard tuber might seem an unlikely candidate for wealth generation. But through over a century of exploration and effort by the people of Fuling, it has evolved into a new type of pickled vegetable that is fresh, fragrant, tender, and crisp — becoming one of the “World’s Three Famous Pickled Vegetables,” celebrated globally.

　　Most importantly, the Fuling mustard tuber has helped build a complete industrial chain — from field to table — encompassing seed selection, processing, sales, and brand promotion. Such an integrated chain in the vegetable industry is truly rare across the nation.

　　As a result, Fuling pickled mustard tubers have become a “wealth oil well” that increases income for local farmers. Originally just the raw material for pickles, Fuling mustard tuber is now emerging as Chongqing’s “Number One Vegetable,” sold all over the country.

　　Within Chongqing’s overall vegetable industry planning, there are three key focus areas, one of which is the Three Gorges Reservoir Area processing vegetable belt. The plan includes developing pickled mustard tuber production in districts and counties along the Yangtze River, such as Fuling, aiming for a processing vegetable planting area of 2 million mu. This will establish the pickled mustard tuber industry as a distinctive pillar industry in rural areas along the river. Moreover, the raw material for pickled mustard tubers — commonly known as Fuling mustard tuber — is being positioned as Chongqing’s top vegetable brand.