Beichuan Flower Konjac

Beichuan Flower Konjac

Beichuan Flower Konjac is a geographical indication protected product.

　　Konjac is a traditional product of Beichuan, historically processed into konjac corners and sold both within and outside the province. Konjac has a wide range of uses, with an expansion capacity of 80–100 times, strong adhesive properties, and reversible characteristics. It serves as both a health food and an important raw material for light industry, and is exported to countries such as Japan, the United States, and Canada.

　　The “Snow Konjac” product is produced based on the processing technique of Snow Konjac from Emeishan City. It primarily uses konjac grown at altitudes above 1,800 meters and is refined through a scientific formula. Rich in glucomannan, fiber, various essential amino acids, and trace elements, regular consumption can aid in weight loss, treat high blood pressure, and prevent arteriosclerosis. It also offers preventive and inhibitory effects against conditions such as constipation, hemorrhoids, rectal and breast cancer. The product is soft in texture, elastic, and highly popular in the market.

　　　I. Product Name, Category, and Geographic Scope

　　(1) Product Name: Beichuan Flower Konjac

　　(2) Category: Cash Crop

　　(3) Geographic Scope: 23 administrative towns and townships in Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province, including Anchang Town, Yongchang Town, Qushan Town, Leigu Town, Tongkou Town, Yong’an Town, Xuanping Township, Chenjiaba Township, Guixi Township, Dubei Township, Guanling Township, Yuli Township, Baini Township, Xiangquan Township, Taolong Township, Macao Township, Dunshang Township, Kaiping Township, Piankou Township, Badi Township, Xiaoba Township, Qingshan Township, and Baishi Township.

　　II. Geographic Characteristics of Product Production

　　(1) Geographic Environment. Under the jurisdiction of Mianyang City, Sichuan, it is located in the northwest of the Sichuan Basin, bordering Jiangyou City to the east, An County to the south, Mao County to the west, and Songpan and Pingwu Counties to the north. It lies between 31°14′–32°14′ north latitude and 103°44′–104°42′ east longitude. The new county seat is 40 kilometers from downtown Mianyang and 140 kilometers from Chengdu.

　　(2) Climate Characteristics. The county features undulating mountains and crisscrossing ravines, with higher terrain in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The highest elevation is 4,769 meters, and the lowest is 540 meters, with the county seat situated at an altitude of 652 meters. Beichuan enjoys a mild climate with distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, an average annual temperature of 15.6°C, an average frost-free period of 125–128 days, an average annual precipitation of 1,399.11 mm, and average sunshine duration of 931.1 to 1,111.5 hours.

　　(3) Product Characteristics.

　　a) Sensory Features. The tuber is nearly spherical, with a diameter of 0.7–25 cm. The top center is slightly sunken, bearing a large apical bud. The scale-like leaves are reddish-purple, the outer skin is dark brown, and the flesh is white, sometimes slightly red. The rhizome is 5–20 cm long, with a swollen or non-swollen tip. The petiole is 10–150 cm long, 0.3–7 cm in diameter at the base, yellow-green or light red, smooth, with green-brown spots; there are 4–7 membranous scale-like leaves at the base of the petiole, lanceolate, pink, with green-brown spots.

　　b) Product Processing Characteristics. Due to its unique regional qualities, Beichuan Flower Konjac has a higher glucomannan content than ordinary konjac. This is reflected in higher flake yield rates (up to 14.3%), dry flake powder yield rates (over 50%), and a standard konjac flour extraction recovery rate of 55–60%. The refined powder converts to konjac gum at a rate of 75–80%.