Xianghe rice

Xianghe rice

　　　Xianghe — a treasure among rice varieties — is a specialty of Liping, Congjiang, and Rongjiang in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. Its leaves, stems, flowers, and grains all emit a fragrant aroma. During the flowering season, the scent of Xianghe rice can waft over a distance of ten li from just one mu of planted field. There are many varieties of Xianghe, among which the most aromatic and economically valuable include White Hair Xianghe, Batang Xianghe, Red Hair Xianghe, and Big Xianghe. Xianghe rice features long awns, large panicles, and plump grains, typically yielding around 300 kilograms per mu. The grains come in yellow, white, black, and red, with color intensity varying by variety. Xianghe is hardy, shade-tolerant, cold-resistant, and rust-resistant. In Congjiang County alone, the perennial planting area reaches 400 hectares. Xianghe rice dishes are highly aromatic, glutinous, and nutritionally rich. Analysis shows that its protein, lysine, and fat content all exceed those of ordinary high-quality rice.