Shenchi Millet

Shenchi Millet

Shenchi millet is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Shenchi millet is a specialty of Shenchi County in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. It is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Shenchi millet is produced in Shenchi County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, and has a long history of cultivation. The unique natural conditions of Shenchi County—characterized by high altitude, cold climate, and strong winds with sandy conditions—are very suitable for the growth of millet. Millet is sticky in nature and is commonly used to make yellow cakes and brew liquor. Once the husk is removed, locals call it "yellow rice," which can be made into various traditional dishes. When ground into flour, it is known as yellow rice flour or cake flour. The oil cake made from this flour is regarded as the most festive and traditional food in the region. During festivals and holidays, oil cake is used for rituals or served to important guests and during major celebrations. It is an essential delicacy. Oil cake is highly nutritious, rich in protein, and has a soft yet chewy texture that is very filling. A local saying goes: “Thirty li on oats, forty li on cake, ten li on buckwheat and you’ll be starving.”

　　Millet is a monocotyledonous plant of the grass family, an annual herbaceous crop that grows in northern regions. It is drought-resistant, with slender, pointed leaves and parallel leaf veins. The seeds, also called millet, are light yellow in color. Once the husk is removed, it is commonly referred to as yellow rice. When yellow rice is ground into flour, it is called yellow rice flour. It is sticky in nature and is commonly used to make yellow cakes and brew liquor.

　　The content of all eight essential amino acids required by the human body in millet grains is higher than that in wheat, rice, and corn. In particular, the methionine content is 299mg per 100g in millet, compared to 140mg, 147mg, and 149mg in wheat, rice, and corn respectively—almost double that of the other grains.

　　Shenchi County features high altitude, large temperature variations, and a cool climate. Its unique landforms, intact ecology, and cool weather have nurtured numerous natural green foods, such as Shenchi lamb, mooncakes, hu oil, and pumpkins.

　　In 2013, the "Shenchi Millet" application submitted by the Agricultural Technology Extension Center of Shenchi County, Shanxi Province, passed the review of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and expert evaluation, and was granted national geographical indication registration and protection.

　　Location: 2013

　　Geographical Scope

　　Shenchi County is located on the Loess Plateau in northwestern Shanxi, at the northwest foot of the Guancen Mountains. It borders Shuozhou City to the east, neighbors Wuzhai County to the west, lies south of the Guancen Mountains across Ningwu, and is bordered by Hongtao Mountain to the north, adjacent to Pinglu District and Pianguan County. Geographic coordinates: 111°42′–112°18′ east longitude, 38°56′–39°24′ north latitude. The county covers an area of 1,472 square kilometers. The geographical indication protection area for Shenchi millet includes nine towns within Shenchi County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province: Longquan Town, Yijing Town, Bajiao Town, Taipingzhuang Township, Donghu Township, Dayanbei Township, Hezhi Township, Hubei Township, and Changzhen Township, encompassing 234 administrative villages. Geographic coordinates: 111°42′–112°18′ east longitude, 38°56′–39°20′ north latitude. The annual planting area of millet is 1,300 hectares, with a total annual output of 6,000–7,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　External Quality: Shenchi millet is glutinous and light yellow in color. Once the husk is removed, it is commonly called yellow rice—small, round yellow grains with a diameter larger than that of millet, about 2 mm. The yellow rice is ground into flour, known as yellow rice flour, which is highly sticky. Locals typically use it to make oil cakes, considered a premium food served to guests, during festivals, holidays, and special events. Internal Quality: Shenchi millet has a relatively high protein content and contains all eight essential amino acids required by the human body, particularly high levels of methionine. Quality and Safety Standards: Compliant with the indicators for minor cereals in the "Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Agriculture on Issuing the Detection Catalogue for 37 Types of Pollution-Free Agricultural Products Including Solanaceous Vegetables," the industry standard of the People's Republic of China — Pollution-Free Food Minor Cereals (NY 5305-2006), as well as relevant standards and requirements including the "GB4285 Pesticide Safe Use Guidelines" and "GB/T8321 Guidelines for the Rational Use of Pesticides."