Liangshan Buckwheat

Liangshan Buckwheat

Liangshan buckwheat is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The cultivation area of Liangshan buckwheat is the highest in altitude (2,200 to 3,000 meters above sea level), has the best natural environment (remote alpine regions with no industrial pollution), and offers the highest quality (rich in rutin, selenium, and dietary fiber). It is currently one of the most affordable health foods with therapeutic benefits, serving as a dietary supplement for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood lipid patients, with certain therapeutic effects. Selenium also has anti-cancer properties.

　　Buckwheat belongs to the Polygonaceae family and is a dicotyledonous plant, commonly known as bitter buckwheat, with the scientific name Fagopyrum tataricum. Buckwheat thrives in cool climates, is tolerant of poor soils, and mostly grows in high-altitude mountainous areas, with its seeds used for consumption. The cultivation area of Liangshan buckwheat is the highest in altitude (2,200 to 3,000 meters above sea level), has the best natural environment (remote alpine regions with no industrial pollution), and offers the highest quality (rich in rutin, selenium, and dietary fiber). It is currently one of the most affordable health foods with therapeutic benefits, serving as a dietary supplement for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood lipid patients, with certain therapeutic effects. Selenium also has anti-cancer properties.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Liangshan Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of Sichuan Province, in the northeastern part of the Hengduan Mountains and the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, situated between the Sichuan Basin and the central plateau of Yunnan Province. The protected production area of the Liangshan buckwheat geographical indication agricultural product includes 16 counties and cities: Xichang City, Dechang County, Huili County, Huidong County, Ningnan County, Puge County, Zhaojue County, Butuo County, Meigu County, Jinyang County, Leibo County, Yan Yuan County, Muli County, Mianning County, Xide County, and Yuexi County, covering a total of 582 townships and 3,524 administrative villages. The geographic coordinates are longitude 100°15′00″ to 103°52′00″ and latitude 26°03′00″ to 29°18′00″.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Liangshan buckwheat is mostly three-edged, with fewer two-edged or irregular multi-edged types. The buckwheat achene is ovate-triangular pyramidal, 6.5–7.4 mm long, with three edges and three longitudinal grooves, in colors such as black, gray-white, brown, and dark brown, and is non-glossy. The tooth-winged buckwheat achene is triangular pyramidal with distinct, serrated wings, about 4 mm long, in colors such as black, gray, brown, and dark brown, and is rough. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Liangshan buckwheat contains protein ≥8%, starch ≥45%, special rutin component ≥0.8%, and is rich in vitamins B1, B2, as well as minerals such as magnesium and selenium. (3) Safety Requirements: It meets the standard requirements of "Pollution-Free Agricultural Products – Buckwheat (Bitter Buckwheat)" (DB5134/T01—2003).