Pengzhen Green Flat Beans

Pengzhen Green Flat Beans

Pengzhen Green Flat Beans are a geographically indicated agricultural product.

　　Pengzhen Green Flat Beans

　　According to the *Pengzhen Town Annals*, in 1992, a type of flat bean resembling "cat ears" was introduced to Pengzhen from the local community. Starting in 1993, trial planting and promotion began, and the scale gradually expanded with increasing yields. Due to their plump pods, soft and glutinous texture, and rich nutrition, they became highly popular among residents and were dubbed "Pengzhen Green Flat Beans." In 1999, Nicheng Town (formerly Pengzhen Town) was honored with the title "Hometown of Chinese Green Flat Beans." In the same year, the Green Flat Bean Research Institute was established to specialize in researching new cultivation techniques, pest and disease control, and improving seedling quality and fruit-setting rates to boost yields. In the early 2000s, the Shanghai Honggang Green Flat Bean Production Cooperative was founded, marking the beginning of an integrated "production, processing, sales, research, and learning" development path for Pengzhen Green Flat Beans. The market share in Shanghai reached 97%, covering five surrounding towns, over 10,000 growers, an area of 1,200 hectares, and an annual output of 65,000 tons, making them the "golden beans" of Nicheng residents and the "treasured beans" of Shanghai citizens.

　　Green flat beans belong to the legume family and are annual climbing vines. They generally thrive in warm conditions, are relatively heat-tolerant, and are short-day plants with a long flowering period. They can bloom and bear fruit continuously, with a harvesting season lasting about eight months and relatively high yields of around 2,500 kilograms per mu. Pengzhen has the highest concentration of green flat bean cultivation in the Nanhui region, with an annual planting area exceeding 6,000 mu. It is an essential variety in the local courtyard economy, earning Pengzhen the reputation as the "Hometown of Chinese Green Flat Beans." Locally, farmers call them "Pengzhen Green Flat Beans," which are well-suited for trellis cultivation along roadsides, canals, rivers, and near homes.

　　Compared to local flat beans, Pengzhen Green Flat Beans offer higher yields and better quality. Especially when stir-fried, they turn an inviting emerald green, with a soft, glutinous, and tender texture. They are rich in various vitamins, have a protein content higher than that of meat, and are packed with nutrients. Additionally, the bean pods have a thick layer of wax that makes them less likely to absorb pesticides, classifying them as safe vegetables. As a result, they are highly favored by consumers.

　　Vegetables

　　Geographical Scope

　　This region is located in the southeastern part of Shanghai, within the former Nanhui District. It borders the East China Sea to the east, faces Hangzhou Bay and Ningbo, Zhejiang, to the south, neighbors the former Pudong New Area to the north, and borders Fengxian District to the west. In May 2009, the State Council approved the merger of the former Nanhui District into the former Pudong New Area, forming the current New Pudong. The district now covers an area of 1,210.41 square kilometers, including 24 towns. The protected geographical indication area for Pengzhen Green Flat Beans includes 48 villages across five towns: Nicheng Town, Datuan Town, Wanxiang Town, Shuyuan Town, and Nanhui Xincheng Town. The protected area spans from 121°57'54.23" to 121°42'11.62" east longitude and from 31°0'46.53" to 30°50'51.89" north latitude. The total area covers 15,000 hectares, with an annual output of 65,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Appearance and Sensory Features: Pengzhen Green Flat Beans are flat, slightly curved, and oblong in shape, with thick flesh. The pods are aesthetically pleasing, glossy, and range in color from light purple-blue to purplish-red. After stir-frying or boiling, the pods turn from purple to emerald green, offering a soft, glutinous, and tender texture with a unique aroma and delicious taste. The weight of 100 pods ranges from 480g to 600g. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Pengzhen Green Flat Beans are highly nutritious, containing abundant protein, crude fiber, dietary fiber, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, amino acids, and vitamin C, which can enhance the human immune system. They contain 2.5–3.0g of protein per 100g, 3.0–4.0g of dietary fiber per 100g, 1.2–1.5g of amino acids per 100g, 2.2–2.8mg of vitamin C (Vc) per 100g, 3.5–4.5g of carbohydrates per 100g, and 1.1–1.5% crude fiber. 3. Safety Requirements: Pengzhen Green Flat Beans strictly adhere to the NY 5010—2002 *Pollution-Free Vegetable Growing Environment Standards*. The use of the following pesticides is prohibited: HCH, DDT, toxaphene, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, nitrofen, endrin, dieldrin, mercury-based agents, arsenic and lead compounds, dikwad, fluoroacetamide, glyfurol, tetramine, sodium fluoroacetate, vacor, phosphamidon, parathion, methyl parathion, monocrotophos, methamidophos, phorate, isofenphos-methyl, terbufos, thiometon, fenthion, cadusafos, ethoprophos, disulfoton, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, methamidophos. 4. Packaging: Packaging materials must meet national food packaging hygiene standards and environmental protection requirements. The packaging of Pengzhen Green Flat Beans should comply with GB18406.1-2001 *Pollution-Free Vegetable Safety Requirements*.