Guanghan Twisted Rabbit

Guanghan Twisted Rabbit

Guanghan Twisted Rabbit is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Guanghan Twisted Rabbit is a famous specialty from Guanghan City, Deyang, Sichuan Province. It is processed using a special method where hemp ropes are tightly wound around the rabbit, hence the name “Guanghan Twisted Rabbit.” With an attractive color, tender meat, delicious flavor, and a distinctive smoky aroma, it is especially suitable for travel picnics.

　　Twisted Rabbit is a well-known rabbit meat product from southern China, especially renowned in Guanghan, Sichuan. It has a long processing history, delicate craftsmanship, an appealing shape, and unique flavors. Guanghan Twisted Rabbit enjoys fame both domestically and abroad, serving as another iconic product of Guanghan besides the ancient Shu culture and the Sanxingdui relics.

　　Production Process of Guanghan Twisted Rabbit:

　　Guanghan Twisted Rabbit is made from plump, live rabbits with ample subcutaneous fat. The rabbits are stunned by a single blow to the carotid artery and then immediately hung up with hemp ropes for skinning (Sichuan Flavor Workshop reminder: protect small animals). The skin is quickly removed before the blood fully coagulates, starting from the hind legs—making an incision in the skin without cutting the meat. After peeling the skin from both legs, the tail is cut off. A shallow cut is made from the hip area, and the skin is pulled by hand all the way up to the neck before the entire skin is removed. The internal organs are then taken out, and the feet and claws are chopped off, washed clean, and placed in a vat.

　　For every 100 fresh rabbits, 5 catties of salt, 0.5 catty of old ginger, and 1 liang of Sichuan peppercorns are used. The ingredients are stacked in layers—one layer of rabbit, one layer of seasonings—with heavier salting on the head and legs, and lighter salting on the waist. After one day, the stack is flipped, and the curing process continues for another day before removing the vat. Then, sauces, fermented black soybeans, soybean oil, sugar, and other seasonings are added. Additional ingredients such as monosodium glutamate, pepper, Sichuan peppercorns, and five-spice powder are ground into a fine powder and mixed into a paste, which is evenly spread inside the body cavity and the deeper muscle layers of the slit legs.

　　At this point, a hemp rope about 2.5 meters long is used to tightly wind from the hind legs up to the front thighs and neck. The belly area is wrapped tightly in a circular fashion, with shaping done while winding, until the whole rabbit is securely bound into a slender, round cylinder. After wrapping, it is air-dried in a ventilated place for 1 to 3 days before becoming the final product.

　　How to Eat Guanghan Twisted Rabbit:

　　Generally, the rabbit is first taken out and rinsed clean in warm water, then cut into large chunks and boiled in a pot until cooked. It can then be eaten. The color is even, the taste is delicious and tender, and the meat is firm.

　　Guanghan Twisted Rabbit

　　Geographical Scope

　　The production area covered by the geographical indication of Guanghan Twisted Rabbit includes 18 towns and townships under the jurisdiction of Guanghan City, such as Luocheng Town and Xiwai Township. The city covers an area of 548.4 square kilometers, with geographical coordinates between 104°06′–104°29′ east longitude and 30°53′–30°98′ north latitude. It is located 17 kilometers north of Deyang urban area and 23 kilometers south of Chengdu urban area, at an altitude of 450 to 590 meters. The annual output of meat rabbits is 3.8 million, with 500,000 twisted rabbits produced annually, amounting to a yield of 500 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: Guanghan Twisted Rabbit has an intact form, with its body tightly wrapped by thin ropes from the neck to the hind legs in a spiral pattern. The belly area is tightly wrapped without exposed filling. The body surface is brownish-red or reddish-brown, with no stickiness or mold spots. The muscles are full, with a tight cut surface that is light red or rose-colored, and slightly elastic. It has a rich fragrance, balanced saltiness, and the unique cured flavor of twisted rabbit. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Guanghan Twisted Rabbit features a unique set of physicochemical indicators known as “one high and three lows”—high protein content, and low fat, cholesterol, and calories. Tests show that Guanghan Twisted Rabbit contains 31.7%–35.2% protein; 5.08%–8.56% fat; and 97.5 mg/100g–105.6 mg/100g cholesterol. 3. Quality and Safety Standards: Guanghan Twisted Rabbit is produced strictly in accordance with the following national standards, fully compliant with the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China." Standards include: "Pollution-Free Food Rabbit Meat" (NY 5129-2002), "Hygienic Standard for Cured Meat Products" (GB2730-2005), and "Hygienic Standard for Edible Salt" (GB 2721).