Chengjiang Lotus Root

Chengjiang Lotus Root

Chengjiang lotus root is a Geographical Indication agricultural product.

　　Lotus root has a long cultivation history in Chengjiang County and enjoys a high reputation in central Yunnan.

　　The *Compendium of Materia Medica* states: “Raw lotus root is sweet and cold, capable of cooling the blood and stopping bleeding, clearing heat and purging the stomach. Therefore, it helps disperse blood stasis, stop vomiting and nosebleeds, relieve postpartum blood congestion, alleviate surgical wound inflammation, treat cholera, soothe restlessness, and counteract alcohol intoxication. Cooked lotus root is sweet and warm, which can strengthen the spleen, stimulate the appetite, nourish blood, and benefit the heart—thus tonifying all five internal organs. It strengthens the lower body, aids digestion, stops diarrhea, promotes tissue regeneration, and prolonged consumption brings joy and calms anger.” The *Sui Xi Ju Dietetic Spectrum* notes: “For those suffering from yin deficiency, excessive liver activity, internal heat, or blood deficiency, as well as various hemorrhagic conditions, drinking lotus root soup daily over time can lead to self-healing without the need for other medications.” Beyond its culinary and medicinal uses, lotus root also holds significant ornamental value. Zhu Ziqing’s *Moonlight over the Lotus Pond* vividly depicts the lotus leaves and flowers, while the famous lines “Boundless green lotus leaves merge with the sky; radiant red lotus flowers shine bright in the sun” are widely loved. The lotus flower is one of China’s top ten famous flowers, revered as the “gentleman among flowers,” with a long blooming period and a variety of colors including white, pink, crimson, and light purple. The beauty, elegance, fragrance, and vibrant hues of the lotus flower and leaf have made it a key aquatic plant in Chinese garden landscaping. Chengjiang lotus root has a long planting history. According to Volume 12, Section 5 “Examination of Products V” in the newly compiled *Yunnan General Annals*, 48th volume: “Lotus root, also known as the lotus’ underground stem, is not a true taproot but part of the sacred lotus (i.e., lotus flower), which is primarily used for ornamental purposes. Its leaves can be used medicinally, while the root/stem, i.e., the lotus root, can be consumed as a vegetable and contains starch for making lotus root powder, with the best produced in Yongchang and Chengjiang.” The *Chengjiang County Geographic Materials Register* and *Chengjiang County Cultural and Historical Materials* record: “Lotus root is grown in the lowland paddy fields within the county. As a stem plant, it grows two to three feet tall, plump with nodes, hollow inside with fibers, and white in color. Annual production is about 70,000 jin, edible both raw and cooked.” The *Chengjiang Prefecture Annals* note: “In the 58th year of the Kangxi reign, Chengjiang was warmer than Yun (i.e., Kunming), slightly colder than that, extremely hot in peak summer, cooled quickly by rain, with severe frost and snow in winter but drying up quickly once sunny—earning the saying ‘four seasons like spring.’ It produces abundant rice and lotus root.” The perennial planting area of Chengjiang lotus root ranges between 10,000 to 12,000 mu. Based on historical records, its cultivation history spans over 300 years. With the development of the county’s tourism industry and ongoing innovation in Chengjiang lotus root product technologies, the lotus root has gained new opportunities for growth. Due to its ecological, high-quality, safe, health-promoting, and medicinal benefits, along with its strong historical culture and regional characteristics, Chengjiang lotus root is highly favored by consumers (such as the “Xianhu” brand lotus root powder and “Dechun” brand lotus root powder series processed products from Chengjiang). Chengjiang lotus root is planted using simple methods, with traditional field management being extensive. In December 2011, the Xianhu brand lotus root powder was recognized as a Yunnan Famous Trademark by the Yunnan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce; in June 2011, it was certified as a Grade A Green Food product by the China Green Food Development Center; in December 2011, the Dechun brand tourist lotus root powder was named a Yunnan Famous Agricultural Product by the Provincial Department of Agriculture. Chengjiang lotus root is sold to Guangxi, Guangdong, Beijing, Jiangxi, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Thailand, and other regions, where it is deeply loved by consumers.

　　Applicant: Chengjiang County Agricultural Industrialization Management and Agricultural Product Processing Leading Group Office

　　Region: 2013

　　Geographic Scope

　　Chengjiang lotus root is produced in Chengjiang County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. The production area covers four subdistricts (towns): Fenglu Subdistrict Office, Longjie Subdistrict Office, Yousuo Town, and Haikou Town. The geographical coordinates are: 102°47′–103°04′ east longitude, 24°29′–24°47′ north latitude. It stretches 39.6 km from north to south and 26 km from east to west, with a total planting area of 36,730 hectares and an annual output of 60,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Chengjiang lotus root plants grow 160–190 cm tall. The leaves are round and green, with petioles 65–80 cm long. The lotus flowers are initially red, turn pink when open, and become white when faded, with no seeds. The main root has 4–6 sections, is 100–120 cm long, 5–6 cm in diameter, with an elliptical cross-section. The cleaned skin is white, each weighing 3–5 kg, and planted 30–50 cm deep in mud, often sold with mud. Chengjiang lotus root typically has one more hole than other varieties, earning the nickname “seven holes and eight eyes.” (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Chengjiang lotus root cooks easily when stewed with meat, yielding a white soup with a delicious taste. Fresh lotus root is crispy, fragrant, and slightly sweet when stir-fried. It helps stimulate the appetite, clear heat, and is rich in nutrition, nourishing blood and promoting tissue regeneration. It contains total starch ≥11.5%, amylopectin ≥7.5%, amylose ≥3.9%, and protein content ≥2.8%. (3) Quality and Safety Requirements: The growing environment of Chengjiang lotus root complies with NY5238–2005 *Environmental Conditions for Pollution-Free Aquatic Vegetable Production Areas*, and the product meets the quality standard of NY5331–2006 *Pollution-Free Aquatic Vegetables*.