Huangyuan Maya

Huangyuan Maya

Maya Fava Beans are a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Geographical Scope

　　　Xining City, Huangyuan County: Shenzhong Township, Dahua Town, Heping Township, Bayan Township, Dongxia Township, Chengguan Town, and Bohang Township

　　Unique Qualities

　　　　Maya Fava Beans are a unique agricultural product of Huangyuan. Owing to the region’s special geographical and climatic conditions and complex terrain, the Maya Fava Bean plants are tall, with plump seeds and high levels of bioactive substances. They are an ideal source of protein nutrition, featuring high total seed protein content and various trace elements. Most importantly, research has found that Maya Fava Beans are a high-quality protein, with a net protein utilization rate of 46% and a true digestibility rate as high as 95%. Among these, globulins account for 65.6% of the total crude protein, albumins for 9.6%, and glutelins for 5.8%. The total content of the eight essential amino acids in fava bean protein reaches as high as 2%, more than three times that of cereal proteins, 7.7 times that of wheat, 6.4 times that of corn, and 6.25 times that of potatoes. It even exceeds the content found in meat and poultry. Overall, the amino acid composition of Maya Fava Bean protein closely matches the ideal proportions required for human and animal physiology, making it a high-nutrition-value, premium-quality protein. In addition, fava bean protein has one particularly outstanding advantage: unlike animal proteins, which often contain higher levels of cholesterol, fava bean protein not only contains no cholesterol but also features plant sterols—such as stigmasterol—that “interfere” with the body’s absorption of cholesterol. As a result, it can help reduce serum cholesterol levels and prevent conditions such as cerebral hemorrhage and arteriosclerosis.

　　Cultural Background

　　　　Qinghai is a major high-yield area for spring fava beans in China. Typically, high-yield fields can produce over 400 kilograms per mu, while top-yielding fields can reach around 500 kilograms. The region has repeatedly set domestic records for high yields on small plots. Qinghai fava beans boast strong growth vigor, abundant pod formation, large seeds, and high hundred-seed weight—advantages that surpass those of many other areas. Moreover, Qinghai fava beans are large, plump, brightly colored, free from insect damage, especially free from bruchid infestation, giving them strong commercial advantages in both domestic and international markets. For the development of fresh fava bean products and premium fava bean seeds, Qinghai fava beans also hold distinct off-season advantages. In recent years, Qinghai fava beans have not only gained a strong reputation in the domestic market but have also become bestsellers in foreign markets. Many countries in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe import Qinghai fava beans.