Qingyang Buckwheat

Qingyang Buckwheat

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

　　Buckwheat is the most nutritious neutral plant among starchy foods. Its protein content far exceeds that of rice and wheat, and it is rich in 17 amino acids essential to the human body. It can help lower blood sugar, blood lipids, and urinary sugar, as well as reduce fever and internal heat. Regular consumption is beneficial for treating high blood pressure, beriberi, and diabetes, making it an excellent natural health food. In recent years, the industrial processing of buckwheat has flourished, with various convenience foods, semi-finished products, and white buckwheat pearls remaining consistently popular. Exquisite products such as buckwheat flour, bitter buckwheat noodles, buckwheat pasta, and white buckwheat pearls have been launched and are highly favored.

　　The traditional buckwheat-based delicacies in Qingyang mainly include buckwheat diced noodles, buckwheat jelly, buckwheat rolls, buckwheat starch cakes, and buckwheat stirrups. The making of buckwheat diced noodles is considered a remarkable skill in Qingyang folk cuisine. The buckwheat is hulled into white buckwheat pearls, ground into fine white flour, mixed with warm water to achieve the right consistency, then rolled into thin sheets. These are then sliced into fine strands using a special cleaver with both hands, boiled in hot water, and served with a topping of mutton sauce. Not only does it offer a strong taste of Qingyang’s local flavor, but the experience of watching the slicing, hearing the cleaver's rhythm, and savoring the noodles provides enjoyment for the eyes, ears, and palate.

　　Geographic Scope

　　The production area of Qingyang buckwheat spans between longitude 106°21′40″ to 108°30′22″ and latitude 35°32′03″ to 37°09′10″. It includes 21 towns and townships in Huan County, Qingyang City, Gansu Province; 15 towns and townships in Huachi County; Yinjiacheng Township, Sancha Town, Maqu Township, Fangshan Township, Miaoqu Township, and Wugou Township in Zhenyuan County; Malian Town, Zhaijiahe Township, Caihekouji Township, Tuqiao Township, and Taibailiang Township in Qingcheng County; Taibai Town, Haizuipu Township, Tai’e Township, and Gucheng Township in Heshui County; Panke Town, Jincun Township, and Jiuxian Township in Ning County; Xipo Township and Wuqingyuan Township in Zhengning County — totaling 56 towns and townships. The annual planting area is 26,700 hectares, with a total output of 32,000 tons.