Luzhou Glutinous Red Sorghum

Luzhou Glutinous Red Sorghum

Luzhou Glutinous Red Sorghum is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　The glutinous red sorghum grown in the Luzhou region (locally called “red grain”) has a starch content of 62.8%, with branched starch accounting for over 90%. It is rich in tannins, anthocyanins, and other components, and its microbial phenolic compounds impart a distinctive aroma to baijiu. In addition, due to the strong vitality of the glutinous red sorghum—being highly drought- and flood-resistant, yielding crops almost anywhere it is planted—and as the glutinous red sorghum cultivated in the hilly areas of southern Sichuan uses virtually no synthetic chemical fertilizers, this naturally grown, green grain has become the principal raw material for brewing Guojiao 1573.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External sensory characteristics: Luzhou glutinous red sorghum features medium-loose spikes with large ears and plump grains, approximately 3,000–4,000 grains per spike. The grains are oval-shaped, with a thousand-grain weight of about 16 grams. The kernels are thin-skinned and reddish, with low horny rate. The branched starch gelatinizes easily, and after gelatinization, it has good viscosity and does not easily retrograde. (2) Internal quality indicators: The crude starch content of Luzhou glutinous red sorghum is ≥65%, of which branched starch accounts for over 92% of the crude starch content (branched starch content / crude starch content), resulting in high liquor yield. Protein content is ≥9%. (3) Safety indicator requirements: Production and management strictly follow the “Standardized Production Technical Regulations for Brewing Glutinous Red Sorghum in Luzhou” and the Green Food (Sorghum) Standard (NY/T895-2004). Fertilizer use is based on the Sichuan Provincial Local Standard “Guidelines for the Use of Fertilizers for Pollution-Free Agricultural Products” DB51/338-2003, and pest, disease, and weed control is primarily guided by the Sichuan Provincial Local Standard “Guidelines for the Use of Pesticides for Pollution-Free Agricultural Products” (DB51/337-2001). “Luzhou Glutinous Red Sorghum” employs fertilizers and pesticides and other agricultural inputs appropriately, strictly prohibits the use of highly toxic and high-residue pesticides banned by the state, and rigorously adheres to pesticide safety intervals. Fifteen days before harvest, random samples from production bases are tested for pesticide residues and heavy metals; only those meeting safety standards are permitted for sale and trade.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected area for the Luzhou Glutinous Red Sorghum agricultural product with geographical indication includes: 11 towns in Jiangyang District, 7 towns in Longmatan District, 24 towns in Luxian County, 6 towns in Naxi District, and 29 towns in Hejiang County, totaling 77 towns across 5 counties and districts. It is located at the southern edge of Sichuan, bordering Chongqing to the east, Yibin to the west, Guizhou to the south, and Zigong and Neijiang to the north. It spans 113 kilometers from east to west and 105 kilometers from north to south, with geographical coordinates between 105°19′–106°28′ east longitude and 27°39′–28°53′ north latitude. The protected area covers 19,800 hectares, with a total output of 81,675 tons.