Baicheng Purple-skin Garlic

Baicheng Purple-skin Garlic

　　Baicheng Purple-skin Garlic: Long-renowned.

　　　Baicheng garlic is one of the well-known specialties of Acheng District in Heilongjiang Province. Its main production areas are within and around the ruins of the Shangjing Huining Prefecture, the capital of the Jin Dynasty, specifically in four villages of Ashihe Township: Baicheng, Nancheng, Shuangcheng, and Xincheng. The garlic produced in the urban area of Baicheng is considered the finest. The garlic from Acheng’s Baicheng area has an 800-year planting history and has gained widespread fame for its neat cloves, sticky juice, and excellent quality that balances spiciness with sweetness. In 1998, the Acheng Garlic Base was awarded the title “Hometown of Northern Chinese Garlic” by the China Specialties Association.

　　Variety Introduction

　　　　Baicheng garlic comes in two types: purple-skin garlic and white-skin garlic, with the purple-skin variety being the most famous. Purple-skin garlic has a purple outer skin on the bulb, fewer but larger cloves per bulb, neatly arranged cloves, and belongs to the large-clove garlic category. Its juice is thick and sticky, with a strong spicy flavor and high quality, making it suitable for long-term storage. The garlic scapes produced from purple-skin garlic are also considered a premium vegetable. White-skin garlic has a white outer bulb skin, larger bulbs, higher yield, more but smaller cloves per bulb, and belongs to the small-clove garlic category. Fresh white-skin garlic is used for pickling sweet garlic. Dried white-skin garlic can be used for growing garlic sprouts in winter.

　　Nutritional Components

　　　　Baicheng garlic contains protein and carbohydrates. It is not only an excellent seasoning but also has high medicinal value. It includes nutrients such as ascorbic acid, niacin, thiamine, as well as essential elements for the human body like zinc, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and selenium.

　　Medicinal Value

　　　　The allicin contained in Baicheng garlic has anti-cancer, antibacterial, detoxifying, and sterilizing properties, as well as benefits for strengthening the spleen, stimulating appetite, and aiding digestion. Baicheng garlic can also accelerate the healing of wounds and ulcers, help treat hypertension, reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, prevent vascular blockages, and has positive effects on preventing heart disease and circulatory system disorders.