Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus

Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus

Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus is a product with a geographical indication.

　　The opening chapter of the Classic of Poetry, “Guan Ju” (“Fair, Fair, the Ospreys”), with its verse “Fair, fair, the ospreys, / On the islet in the river,” describes Heyang Qiaochuan. Qiaochuan is China’s largest wetland along the Yellow River, dotted with numerous fountains, and it is here that the Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus grows. Legend has it that during the Western Han Dynasty, Empress Dowager Bo admired the clear springs and pristine vitality of Qiaochuan, and ordered lotus roots brought back from West Lake to be planted here. These later became tribute presented to the imperial court by high-ranking officials throughout various dynasties. Initially, the Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus was sporadically cultivated around the Xiayang Fountain, gradually expanding to the areas around seven major fountains, and today the cultivation area covers the Qiaochuan Wetland and the surrounding Yellow River floodplains. During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign, Xu Bingshan, a renowned scholar from Guanzhong and a native of Qiaochuan Town, Heyang County, wrote in his poem “Thinking of the Lotus Pond”: “Back from viewing lotuses at Kunming Lake, I know my home’s lotuses must also bloom.” This was written after he visited Kunming Lake to admire the lotuses while on his way to the imperial exams in Beijing, and upon returning to his lodging, he was reminded of the lotus roots grown in his hometown.

　　The Nine-Eye Lotus is a unique specialty of Heyang County, with a long history of cultivation and longstanding fame. Both red and white lotus varieties are available. The lotus roots from Heyang have nine holes arranged in a ring, hence the name “Nine-Eye Lotus.” Each segment is about a foot and a half long, snow-white as jade, thick as a child’s leg, solid to the touch. When cut open, the Nine-Eye Lotus reveals nine holes — seven large and two small — arranged in a ring. Moreover, the flesh does not cling to the threads when broken. Whether eaten raw or cooked, it is stringless, crisp, tender, sweet, and deliciously refreshing. Lotus leaves used to wrap food emit a fragrant aroma and help preserve freshness. The Nine-Eye Lotus is predominantly produced in Qiaochuan and the upper reaches of the Wenquan River in Heyang County, and is well known across the Guanzhong region.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The protected production area of Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus covers four towns in Heyang County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province: Qiaochuan, Heichi, Fangzhen, and Bailiang, encompassing 12 administrative villages. It stretches east to Shendong Village in Qiaochuan Town, south to Quanxingzhai Village in Heichi Town, west to Taili Village in Fangzhen Town, and north to Yulin Village in Bailiang. The geographical coordinates are longitude 110°19′12.13″ to 110°21′35.15″, latitude 34°59′22.42″ to 35°12′45.68″. The protected area spans 30,000 mu, with an annual yield of 45,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus has nine holes arranged in a ring, hence the name “Nine-Eye Lotus.” Each segment is about a foot and a half long, snow-white as jade, thick as a child’s leg, solid to the touch. When cut open, the lotus shows seven large and two small holes arranged in a ring, and the flesh does not cling when broken. Whether eaten raw or cooked, it is stringless, crisp, tender, sweet, and deliciously refreshing. Lotus leaves used to wrap food emit a fragrant aroma and help preserve freshness. 2. Unique Internal Quality Indicators: The Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus contains no less than 11.0g of starch, no less than 1.1g of total sugar, no less than 0.28g of reducing sugar, more than 0.25mg of zinc, and more than 1.6g of amino acids per 100g. 3. Safety Requirements: Producers using the Heyang Nine-Eye Lotus label must ensure their production bases and products meet the standards for pollution-free agricultural products, or pass batch inspections in accordance with the aquatic vegetable quality and safety requirements outlined in Document No. Nongban Zhi [2015] No. 4.