Lower Beach Chili

Lower Beach Chili

　　Xiatan Village in Mitan Township, Jingyuan County, Gansu Province, is located in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River, in the central and eastern part of Gansu Province, in the heart of Baiyin City. It lies within the Xilong-Hailan-Xinjiang Economic Belt and the core economic zone of Lanzhou–Baiyin. The area enjoys convenient transportation, abundant water sources for irrigation, and rich resources of water, soil, light, and heat. It is the largest vegetable-growing base in Gansu Province. Furthermore, Jingyuan County is situated at an elevation of 1,398 meters, with large diurnal temperature variations, ample sunlight, and conditions that are particularly well suited for growing chili peppers used in sauces. The main quality indicators of the chili — pigment content and the A/B value (i.e., the ratio of red to yellow pigments) — rank among the highest in China.

　　In recent years, Xiatan Village has seized opportunities in the development of the vegetable industry. Following the overall strategy of “technological innovation, exemplary demonstration, brand enhancement, and organizational support,” the village has developed a 10,000-mu vegetable production base in Mitan Township, continuously expanding the scale of vegetable cultivation. The vegetable industry has become a pillar of the township’s economy. The locally grown “Long Pepper” and “Heng Pepper” are known for their excellent quality and high yields, making them highly popular in the market. Supporting facilities include 8,000 square meters of standardized seedling greenhouses, which help improve chili quality through standardized seedling cultivation. Chili from Xiatan Village is sold as far as Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Lanzhou. Many merchants from both within and outside the province have been attracted to the area, approaching the Chili Association to discuss contract-based production orders.