Kepping Qiamagua

Kepping Qiamagua

Kepping Qiamagua is a product with geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Legend has it that long ago, a nomadic young man riding a camel and herding sheep came here and settled in Subasi (Uyghur for "source of water," located within Kepping County). After sunset, a thousand-year-old spirit transformed into a maiden and appeared by his side. Before long, they were united. They had many children, whose descendants grew up to be strong men, beautiful women who were talented singers and dancers, hardworking and intelligent — all living joyful and happy lives. But one day, ailments such as tuberculosis, cholera, consumption, scrofula, and heat-toxin swelling suddenly plagued the locals. Many suffered in pain from illness, and those with severe conditions perished due to lack of treatment. Unable to bear seeing good people endure so much suffering, the heavens sent down a miraculous species that strengthened the body and fought disease — the longevity sacred fruit, Qiamagua, which helped fill stomachs and cure illnesses... The first volume of the Kepping County Annals records the history of Kepping County from 171 BC to 1990, including references to the local cultivation and consumption of Qiamagua. This proves that as long as there has been a history of Kepping County, there has been a history of its people growing and eating Qiamagua. Thus, the people of Kepping have been consuming Qiamagua for two thousand years. Aketao County at the northwestern edge of the Tarim Basin, Kepping County, is the top producer of Qiamagua in all of Xinjiang. Though it is a national key poverty-alleviation county, it is also well-known as a "longevity village" in Xinjiang. In 2012, there were two centenarians in Kepping County. Yahaifu Zayiti, a 105-year-old from Kalama Village in Achal Township of Kepping County, was vigorous, sharp-hearing, clear-eyed, and mentally agile. He even submitted three applications to join the Communist Party, persistently asking to become a member, telling the Party organization that “what I most want to be is a propagandist for the Party.” This is enough to show that long-term consumption of Qiamagua indeed has significant health benefits.

　　Kepping is the top producer of Qiamagua in all of Xinjiang and is also known as a "longevity village." The locals enjoy robust physical health, with many centenarians still able to take care of themselves. It is said that this is all related to their love of eating Qiamagua.

　　Qiamagua is a rare plant in nature rich in organic active alkali. It can comprehensively regulate the nutrition of various organs in the body, achieving acid-base balance and improving the constitution.

　　It is also a plant very familiar to the Uyghur people. Shaped like a radish, in many areas of southern Xinjiang, Uyghurs even consider it an essential food item every day.

　　The locals have been eating Qiamagua for 2000 years. Among the local ethnic minorities, Qiamagua holds a place in their hearts similar to how the Han people regard ginseng. The difference is that Qiamagua can be eaten daily without causing excessive internal heat, which is why the Uyghur people call it the “longevity sacred fruit” or the “desert ginseng.”

　　Although Qiamagua is not as sweet as Hami melon nor as precious as snow lotus, it possesses a wealth of nutritional components, unique efficacy, and effects unmatched by other plants.

　　It is reported that nowadays, besides traditional consumption, Qiamagua has also been developed into products such as honey paste, oral liquid, and capsules for sale.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Kepping County is located in the western part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, southwest of the Aksu region, on the northwestern edge of the Tarim Basin and the southern foothills of the Kelta Mountains. It covers a total area of 12,047 square kilometers, bordering Aksu City to the east, Awati County to the south, Bachu County (Kashgar region) to the west, Artux City (Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture) and Akqi County (Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture) to the north, and Wushi County to the northeast. The geographical coordinates for the protected production area of Kepping Qiamagua as a geographical indication of agricultural products are between 40°09′57″N and 40°45′23″N latitude, and 78°55′51″E and 79°37′12″E longitude, with an average elevation above 1090 meters. The protected production area of Kepping Qiamagua as a geographical indication includes seven administrative villages: Tula, Kalama, Kumuluke, Gezileke, Kule, Tuanjie, and Qilan in Achal Township, covering a planting area of 13,482 hectares with an annual yield of over 9,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　External Sensory Features: Due to Kepping Qiamagua’s unique growing environment and cultivation techniques, individual roots typically have a diameter of 5–7 cm. The tuber is fleshy, spherical, flat-round, or oblong-elliptical. Fibrous roots mostly grow on the taproot beneath the tuber. The basal leaves are deeply pinnately lobed, long and narrow, 20–45 cm in length, with the largest and blunt apical lobe, while the lower leaves gradually become smaller. When eaten raw, Kepping Qiamagua tastes slightly sweet, bitter, and crisp; when cooked, it tastes mildly sweet, slightly salty, and starchy, with a mild nature. Internal Quality Indicators: Kepping Qiamagua contains 1.9–2.1% protein, 29–35% linoleic acid, a pH value of 6–6.5 (weakly alkaline, beneficial to the body), 0.09–0.22 g/100g total flavonoids, 0.4–0.7 g/100g saponins, vitamin C up to 6–8 g/100g, vitamin B1 at 0.015–0.3 mg/100g, vitamin B2 at 0.005–0.012 g/100g, calcium 650–750 mg/kg, iron 0.02–1.2 mg/kg, potassium 3000–4000 mg/kg, copper 0.029–1.2 mg/kg. Qiamagua is a dual-use food and medicine in Uyghur traditional medicine, prized for nourishing the lungs and strengthening the body. It is known to clear the lungs and relieve coughs, nourish essence and invigorate yang, and improve vision. The Uyghur people regard it as the “longevity sacred fruit.” Safety Requirements: It meets the safety standards outlined in the “Pollution-Free Food – Root Vegetables” (NY5082-2005) regulation.

　　Information Source: The Last Kilometer

　　Information Source: The Last Kilometer