Xichou Chinese Toon

Xichou Chinese Toon

　　Xichou Chinese toon is a specialty of Xichou County in Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The county has a long-standing tradition of cultivating Chinese toon, whose tender shoots are edible, aromatic, delicious, and highly nutritious.

　　Chinese toon is a well-known and beloved tree species among the Chinese people. Its tender shoots are edible, aromatic, delicious, and rich in nutrients. The wood has a fine grain and can be used to make high-end furniture, sports equipment, and ships. Wood shavings and roots can be used to extract aromatic oil for flavoring cigars. The seeds can be pressed for oil, while the root bark and fruit have medicinal properties, including astringent and hemostatic effects, as well as dehumidifying and pain-relieving benefits. The bark contains chinaberry tannin and tannins, and the leaves are rich in carotene, vitamin B, C, and other elements. Every part of the Chinese toon tree is valuable, making it highly economically significant.

　　Xichou County has a long-standing tradition of cultivating Chinese toon, with residents in the vast rocky mountainous areas often planting it sporadically around their homes and on uncultivated hillsides. On August 17, 2013, the Wanglin Chinese Toon Planting Professional Cooperative was established in Malutang Village Group, Longzheng Village Committee, Banggu Township. It is primarily responsible for providing technical guidance to its members on growing Chinese toon, as well as product development, processing, and sales. The cooperative currently has 14 member households, registered capital of 50,000 yuan, and a Chinese toon cultivation area of 140 mu. The establishment of the Wanglin Chinese Toon Planting Professional Cooperative and the completion of a 1,000-mu Chinese toon planting demonstration base will play a positive role in promoting the development of Chinese toon cultivation among surrounding communities, laying a solid foundation for scaling up the industry, achieving economies of scale, increasing the added value of Chinese toon products, and boosting local incomes.