Dingbian Buckwheat

Dingbian Buckwheat

Dingbian buckwheat is a protected geographical indication product.

　　Dingbian buckwheat is an agricultural specialty of Dingbian County, Shaanxi Province. The county has a long history of buckwheat cultivation, boasts fertile land rich in potassium, abundant sunshine, cool weather, and concurrent rainfall and heat — all conditions highly favorable for buckwheat growth. It is renowned for its large, plump grains, tea-brown color, fine ridges, thin skins, high flour yield, rich nutrition, and significant medicinal value. The county’s buckwheat products are sold well in Japan, South Korea, the United States, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. In 2011, Dingbian buckwheat was designated as a National Geographical Indication Product of China, covering the administrative regions of 20 townships under Dingbian County.

　　　Since the Qin and Han dynasties, buckwheat has been one of the staple foods for farmers in Dingbian County, Shaanxi Province, where it has a long cultivation history. The county is known as the “Home of Buckwheat.” Its outstanding production environment features fertile land rich in potassium, abundant sunshine, cool weather, and concurrent rainfall and heat — conditions highly suitable for buckwheat and making it the most ideal growing region. Dingbian County has long been a major production base for high-quality commercial buckwheat in Shaanxi Province. “Dingbian Buckwheat” was once recognized by China’s Ministry of Agriculture as a “High-Quality Agricultural Product,” making it a famous and premium local specialty.

　　Produced in such a uniquely favorable natural environment, “Dingbian Buckwheat” is widely acclaimed for its large, plump grains, tea-brown color, fine ridges, thin skins, high flour yield, rich nutrition, and significant medicinal value. The county mainly exports raw buckwheat grain, with an annual volume of about 20 million tons. Products are sold well in Japan, South Korea, the United States, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. The products typically hit the market in early October, with a local market price of 1–1.2 yuan per kilogram. Buckwheat is rich in calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, and lysine. It has excellent palatability and is a beloved food among the people of Dingbian. Buckwheat flour can be used to make wontons, buckwheat noodles, cold jelly, sliced noodles, pancakes, stir-fried dough balls, stuffed sausage, and more. It can also be processed into various pastries, dried noodles, and used for brewing wine or making vinegar. Buckwheat-flavored vinegar, with its bright color, tangy flavor with hints of fragrance and slight sweetness, has become an essential drink before meals for people in southern China, earning the title “Vinegar Health Beverage.” Hence, buckwheat has long been hailed as the “King of Black Foods.”

　　The production area of Dingbian buckwheat covers 25 townships under the jurisdiction of Dingbian County, Shaanxi Province, including Hequan Town, Zhuanjing Town, Anbian Town, Baiwanzi Town, Jiyuan Town, Duiziliang Town, Yangjing Town, Hongliugou Town, Xin’anbian Town, Jipan Township, Shidonggou Township, Haotan Township, Huangwan Township, Xuezhuang Township, Zhangyaoxian Township, Fanxue Township, Wumaozi Township, Wangpanshan Township, Youfangzhuang Township, Fengdikeng Township, Baimayaoxian Township, Baimijing Town, Zhoutaizi Township, Yan changbao Township, and Dingbian Town.