Huanren Jingzu Rice

Huanren Jingzu Rice

Huanren Jingzu Rice is a product with a geographical indication for agricultural products.

　　Jingzu rice is grown in Sihexiang, Huanren Manchu Autonomous County, and is a uniquely prestigious variety of rice in China. It was once the exclusive tribute rice served to emperors during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty. Known for its fragrant taste and high nutritional value

　　Huanren Jingzu Rice is produced in Huanren County, Benxi City, Liaoning Province. The geographical indication protection area covers: Huanren Town, Yaxi Town, Pulepu Town, and Gucheng Town in Huanren County. The geographical coordinates are: 124°27′–125°40′ east longitude, 40°54′–41°32′ north latitude. The certificate holder is the Huanren County Agricultural Technology Extension Center. It was registered as a national agricultural geographical indication product by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2015. Huanren County is located on the foothills of the Changbai Mountains, along the middle and lower reaches of the Hun River, with a forest coverage rate of 76.6%. The area has a dense river network, including over 70 rivers of various sizes and 254 springs. The climate is humid with abundant precipitation, averaging 898.9 mm of rainfall annually. There is a large diurnal temperature variation, with an average annual temperature of 7.4°C and an average accumulated temperature of 3015°C. The soil is fertile, rich in organic matter, and the environment is clean with pure water and fresh air — providing an almost pristine and unique growing environment for "Jingzu rice." In 1985, it was designated by the provincial government as a special rice supply base, and in 2001, it was recognized by the State Council as a county for high-quality rice production. Jingzu rice originated in Huanren. According to records from the Benxi City Archives, "Huanren Jingzu Rice" traces back to the 13th year of the Tongzhi reign in the Qing Dynasty, when Manchu officials presented "Shili Xiang" (Ten-mile Fragrance) rice, grown by the Jin and Zhu families in Huai Ren (now Huanren), to the imperial court banquets. Its fragrant aroma earned it the imperial title "Jin Zhu Rice" (Golden Pearl Rice), a homophone playing on the growers' surnames, symbolizing its precious and rare nature. In 1878, when Huanren County was officially established, the Qing government mandated that Huai Ren County deliver 100 dan (a traditional unit of measurement) of "Jin Zhu Rice" annually as land rent to the imperial palace. Upon hearing this, the Jin and Zhu families reportedly sighed privately that "Jin Zhu Rice" had become "Jing Zu Rice" (Imperial Rent Rice), and the name spread. This story is both historically documented and widely narrated. Since the 1980s, Huanren County has implemented a series of strategic measures — including purification and rejuvenation of the variety, extended southern cultivation cycles, establishing production bases, conducting scientific research, brand creation, packaging and heritage application efforts, and hosting the "Jingzu Rice Festival" — continuously enhancing the rice’s visibility and influence. In 2010 and 2014, the Huanren New Century High-Quality Rice Factory registered the trademarks "Jingzu" and "Guandi" for their rice brands. In 2014, the "Liaoning Huanren Jingzu Rice Production System" was included in the Liaoning Provincial Important Agricultural Cultural Heritage list. Huanren Jingzu Rice meets premium rice standards (national standard GB1354-2009 and agricultural industry standard NY/T419-2006) in key indicators closely related to appearance, nutrition, and cooking quality — such as transparency, chalky grain rate, gel consistency, amylose content, and protein level. Additionally, its selenium content reaches 27 μg/kg (naturally cultivated without artificial selenium fertilizer application), higher than other local varieties and significantly above those from other regions.

　　Region: Liaoning

　　Applicant: Huanren Manchu Autonomous County Agricultural Technology Extension Center

　　Year of designation: 2014

　　Geographical Scope

　　Huanren Jingzu Rice is produced within Huanren Manchu Autonomous County (hereinafter referred to as Huanren County), Benxi City, Liaoning Province. The protected geographical indication area for Huanren Jingzu Rice as an agricultural product includes: Huanren Town, Yaxi Township, Gucheng Town, and Pulepu, totaling four townships and 35 administrative villages. The geographical coordinates are: 124°27′–125°40′ east longitude, 40°54′–41°32′ north latitude. The total area is 50,000 mu.