Dehong Fragrant Soft Rice

Dehong Fragrant Soft Rice

Dehong Fragrant Soft Rice is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Dehong Fragrant Soft Rice is a specialty of Yingjiang County in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

　　The varieties of soft rice in Yunnan are mainly distributed across 11 counties in Dehong, Honghe, Wenshan, Baoshan, and Lincang prefectures, mostly at altitudes between 800 to 1,000 meters. Dehong Prefecture, with its South Asian tropical humid climate, is a major production area for soft rice, and the local Dai people enjoy eating soft rice. Ruili City in Dehong Prefecture is the center of soft rice resource distribution in Yunnan, followed by Yingjiang, Longchuan, and Luxi.

　　 Local varieties of soft rice in Yunnan are tall, typically around 175 cm, with some reaching up to 205 cm. They have sturdy stems, relatively loose and pale-colored leaves, vigorous growth, long panicles with many large grains, and high thousand-grain weight. The shape of the grains varies by variety, but most are slender. A downside of local soft rice varieties is that they are not tolerant to heavy fertilization, have sparse grain setting, and are not easily threshed. Generally, they are not resistant to rice blast, yield low — about 300 to 400 jin per mu — but they have advantages such as cold and drought tolerance in the later growth stages, and strong regenerative ability. Most varieties of soft rice in Yunnan are highly photoperiod-sensitive and late-maturing. In terms of agronomic morphology, they do not differ from glutinous or sticky rice. Their endosperm is waxy, with a diverse range including red and white grains, mostly white, as well as transparent, semi-transparent, and milky white varieties.

　　 The quality indicators of rice mainly include four aspects: milling quality, appearance quality, cooking and eating quality, and nutritional quality. Differences in cultural background and consumption habits lead to varying requirements and emphases on rice quality. Varieties of soft rice in Yunnan have a texture that falls between glutinous rice and sticky rice, with both good nutritional and cooking qualities, although quality can still vary by variety. Soft rice is moist, tender, soft-textured, elastic, fragrant, sweet, glossy, and has large grains that are not prone to breaking. It does not harden when cooled, has good taste even as leftover rice, excellent nutritional quality, good puffing properties, and favorable processing traits. It is a premium raw material for processed convenience meals (such as sushi, ready-to-eat rice, etc.), puffed foods, and various rice-based pastries.

　　 Soft rice can generally be divided into two main types: indica and japonica, with late indica soft rice being more common. Farmers in Zhefang Basin, Luxi County, classify soft rice into three grades based on taste and mouthfeel. First-grade soft rice is the softest and tastiest, including varieties such as Haopi and Haojiehai; second-grade soft rice includes varieties like Haodilahao and Haoerwanghanduo; third-grade soft rice includes Haomuxi, Haoannong, and Haoanxin. In the quality assessment of Yunnan soft rice, many breeders believe that amylose content can serve as a primary classification indicator for soft rice. Yunnan’s soft rice resources have been shaped by the interaction of local ethnic dietary habits and unique natural conditions, exhibiting strict regional adaptability. When grown elsewhere, their premium qualities are often difficult to maintain.

　　Dehong Fragrant Soft Rice

　　 Dehong Prefecture Agricultural Society

　　 11319551

　　 Rice