Qingyang Millet

Qingyang Millet

Qingyang millet is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Qingyang millet has a long cultivation history. In the birthplace of Zhou ancestral farming culture and medical sage Qibo culture, archaeologists have recently discovered carbonized grains stored in cellars dating back 5,000 to 6,000 years in Aoliu and Xinbao villages of Ningxian County, proving that millet was planted here as early as the Neolithic Age. During the Xia and Shang dynasties, Qingyang was part of the Yongzhou region mentioned in the Yu Gong. The ancestors of the Zhou people came here, "taught the people farming," and "cultivated various grains," pioneering China’s farming culture. The Zhou people regarded Ji (millet) as their ancestor and the grain god, demonstrating the close connection between the Zhou ethnic group and this crop. The Book of Songs · Odes of Bin · July mentions, "In September, they build threshing floors; in October, they bring in the harvest. Millets and glutinous millets, hemp, beans, wheat, and barley." During the Qin and Han dynasties, millet ranked first among crops on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu, becoming one of people’s staple foods. Later, it was selected as a tribute for the imperial court, winning the favor of many royals, and thus Qingyang millet gained fame across the region. During the revolutionary war years, the people of Qingyang supported the frontline with the millet they produced, enabling the People’s Liberation Army to achieve victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation with "millet plus rifles." After liberation, national leaders such as -, Geng Biao, Zhang Caiqian, Wang Zhen, and Ma Wenrui visited Qingyang and spoke highly of the millet after tasting it. Qingyang millet is the finest under heaven, a renowned specialty of eastern Gansu’s Longdong region, recorded in both provincial and local chronicles. It has been a long-standing tribute to the imperial court since the Jiaqing era of the Ming Dynasty. Loved by royalty and nobility, Qingyang millet became famous nationwide. With its golden, shiny, round, plump, and uniformly sized grains, it offers a visual delight. More importantly, its nutritional value surpasses that of other types of millet. Among Qingyang millet, particularly that from Shishe in Xifeng District, the quality is excellent. The Mao millet of Shishe is a superior local variety formed over years under local conditions—a unique and premium strain. Its grains are crystal-clear, bright yellow, delicious, and nutrient-rich, considered a treasure among grains. Millet congee made from Qingyang millet has a golden, shiny color, with snowflake-like grains suspended evenly in a thick, sticky texture. Bright millet oil floats on top. Its aroma is refreshing, and its taste is incredibly sweet. If you add some red beans and simmer it into millet porridge, then serve it with some pickled salted leeks from local farms, the flavor is even better, leaving a lingering aftertaste. It is highly digestible, suitable for all ages, and has medicinal dietary benefits.

　　Region: Gansu

　　Applicant: Qingyang Agricultural Technology Extension Center

　　Year: 2013

　　Geographical Scope

　　The protected geographical indication area for Qingyang millet covers the region between 106°48′ to 108°9′ east longitude and 35°25′ to 36°57′ north latitude. It is divided into two main production areas: southern and northern. The southern production area includes seven townships in Xifeng District: Dongzhi Town, Houguanzhai Township, Pengyuan Township, Wenquan Township, Shishe Township, Xiao Jin Town, and Xiansheng; four townships in Zhenyuan County: Taiping, Linjing, Tunzi, and Shangxiao; two townships in Ning County: Waxie Township and Nanyi Township; and three townships in Heshui County: Jiajian, Duanjiaji, and Xiaoju. The northern production area includes three townships in Zhenyuan County: Sancha Town, Yinjiacheng, and Fangshan; eleven townships in Huan County: Yanwu, Hedao, Tianchi, Quzi, Mubo, Bazhu, Fanjiachuan, Huancheng, Hongde, Hudong, and Che Dao; four townships in Qingcheng County: Ma Ling, Cai Kou Ji, Zhai Jia He, and Tu Qiao; and two townships in Huachi County: Qiaochuan and Baima. In total, it spans 36 townships across seven counties and districts, with a planting area of 10,000 hectares and an annual output of 15 million kilograms.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: Qingyang millet is round or oval-shaped, plump and well-rounded. The grains are very small, uniformly sized, with a diameter of about 1–1.2 mm. The color varies by variety, mostly light yellow, white, as well as light green and grayish-brown. When cooked into congee, the snowflake-like grains are evenly suspended in a thick, sticky texture, with bright millet oil floating on top. Its aroma is refreshing, and its taste is incredibly sweet. (2) The nutritional indicators of Qingyang millet are as follows: crude fat greater than 30 g/kg, crude protein 120–125 g/kg, crude starch 790–792 g/kg, lysine greater than 2.6 g/kg, vitamin B1 greater than 4.6 mg/kg, vitamin B2 greater than 0.5 mg/kg, carotenoids greater than 135 mg/kg. It also has effects such as quenching thirst, lowering blood pressure, anti-aging, beautifying and maintaining a youthful appearance, and promoting longevity.