Xincheng Chive Sprouts

Xincheng Chive Sprouts

Xincheng chive sprouts are a product with geographical indication.

　　“The chive sprouts of Xincheng are unmatched under heaven, golden as a goose’s feather and over three feet tall; the pork from the east gate is even more extraordinary, rich and tender, not inferior to lamb from the Hu.” The Southern Song Dynasty poet Lu You once sang high praises for this local specialty — Xincheng chive sprouts. The cultivation of chive sprouts in Xincheng boasts a long history, among which those from Xingyi Town are the most renowned.

　　In order to strengthen the protection of this premium local product — Xincheng chive sprouts — and leverage industrial advantages through brand-driven development, starting mid-April this year, our county launched an initiative to apply for geographical indication product protection. Coordinated by the County Agricultural Development Bureau, the application process was organized with the Chengdu Xincheng Minjiang Vegetable Professional Cooperative taking the lead. Currently, based on the unique cultural history of Xincheng chive sprouts and the county’s natural ecological environment, seven towns have been designated as the protected geographical area for Xincheng chive sprouts: Xingyi Town, Wujin Town, Wenjing Township, Xinping Town, Fangxing Town, Anxi Town, and Yongshang Town, covering a total area of over 7,500 hectares. On October 27, an assessment team composed of leaders and experts from the Chengdu Quality Supervision Bureau and the Chengdu Agricultural Commission conducted an evaluation and acceptance of the Xincheng Xingyi Town Chive Sprouts Provincial Agricultural Standardization Demonstration Project, further enhancing the reputation of Xincheng chive sprouts.

　　Xincheng Chive Sprouts

　　Protected Geographical Area

　　Xincheng chive sprouts are produced in Xincheng County, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, originating along both sides of the Yangma River, a tributary of the Minjiang River, within alluvial plain areas adjacent to Chongzhou City. The production region mainly includes seven towns: Xingyi Town, Wujin Town, Wenjing Township, Xinping Town, Fangxing Town, Anxi Town, and Yongshang Town. The geographical coordinates fall between 103°42′13″ to 103°49′58″ east longitude and 30°19′49″ to 30°21′32″ north latitude, at an elevation ranging from 442 to 673 meters. The protected area spans 7,526 hectares, with an annual yield of over 6,000 tons.

　　Product Quality and Characteristic Features

　　(1) External Sensory Qualities: Xincheng chive sprouts have long, relatively thick, flat petioles; thick leaves; a tender, bright yellow color; and are approximately 10 cm longer than ordinary chive sprouts overall. They possess a strong aroma and are tender in texture. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Insoluble dietary fiber ≤ 2%, rich in iron content. (3) Safety Requirements: The safety and hygiene indicators of Xincheng chive sprouts comply with the regulations set forth in the “Non-polluted Chive Sprout Production Technical Specifications” (Chengdu Xincheng County Local Standard DB510113/T002—2007).