Huangxi Tribute Rice

Huangxi Tribute Rice

　　“Stream-brown earth gives rare grain, Rice fields age yet stay the same. Since olden days, Huangxi grew tribute rice, Once solely for imperial delight.” This enduring folk song speaks to the uniqueness of Huangxi’s “tribute rice.”

　　Huangxi Township is renowned for producing high-quality rice. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong toured southern China, local officials presented him with Huangxi rice. The emperor praised it highly, and when the empress tasted it, she found other “tribute rices” far inferior. She immediately designated it as court tribute rice, a tradition that continued, hence the name Huangxi Tribute Rice.

　　It is said that the local soil in Huangxi is unique—dark brown, sticky yet loose—and the cooler temperatures lead to late maturation. The resulting rice is translucent, with large, slender grains. When cooked, it emits a fragrant aroma; when eaten, it tastes subtly sweet and delicate.

　　In recent years, to boost the reputation of Huangxi’s “tribute rice,” the township has made great efforts to brand it, registering the “Tribute Rice” trademark in 2005. Currently, the area has developed a 1,000-mu (about 165-acre) base for Huangxi Tribute Rice and planted 3,000 mu of first-class premium rice in contiguous fields. By publishing information online, the township has secured orders with Yunnan export trading companies and Guizhou grain and oil food companies. The market price of Huangxi Tribute Rice has now risen to around 8 yuan per kilogram.

　　Today, locals have rewritten the ancient folk song, which people of all ages can now sing: “Stream-brown earth gives rare grain, Huangxi since olden grew tribute rice, Once solely for imperial delight, Now enjoyed by all without fright.”