Haian Taro

Haian Taro

Haian Taro is a product protected under the Agricultural Geographical Indications scheme.

　　Haian Taro is a specialty of Haian City, Nantong, Jiangsu Province. It boasts the fragrant aroma of beans, remains firm even after prolonged cooking, and offers a fresh, sweet taste upon eating, characterized by its unique quality and regional traits. Haian Taro has been awarded the status of a Geographical Indication Protected Product.

　　Haian has a long history of cultivating taro, with detailed records found in both the "Qing Jiaqing Haian Hall Annals" and the "Republican-era Haian County Annals". Currently, the taro cultivation area covers 5,500 mu, with an annual total output of around 1.5 million kilograms, enjoying a strong reputation in vegetable markets in Shanghai and other areas.

　　The sandy soil of Haian gives rise to one of its signature products — fragrant sandy taro. Thanks to the loose texture of the sandy land and abundant water sources, the resulting taro is delicate, smooth, easily mashed yet not mushy, and dry-aromatic with a delicious taste. Especially popular among diners are taro pieces about 10 centimeters in length.

　　Fragrant sandy taro is delicate in texture, rich in nutrition, dry-aromatic, and easily mashed without becoming mushy. The taro can be made into taro flour noodles, taro steamed buns, snacks, and more. There are also diverse culinary uses for the taro itself, including sweet-and-sour, stir-fried, soup-based, and braised preparations. When cooked with vegetables, it enhances flavor and freshness; when braised with chicken, pork, or lamb, it is fragrant without being greasy; and when boiled with these meats, it offers a uniquely delightful taste. Taro is highly nutritious, containing essential vitamins and mineral nutrients required by the human body. Haian fragrant sandy taro is renowned for its superior quality and enjoys a longstanding reputation in vegetable markets, winning widespread popularity among consumers.

　　In accordance with the "Regulations on the Protection of Geographical Indication Products," the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine organized experts to review the application for the protection of Haian Taro as a geographical indication product. Upon successful review, Haian Taro was approved as a Geographical Indication Protected Product, with protection taking effect immediately.

　　Geographical Scope

　　Haian Taro is a leguminous climbing plant, with its edible part being the underground tuber. Its place of origin is Haian City, Jiangsu Province, including Haian Subdistrict, Binjiang Subdistrict, Sanchang Subdistrict, Sanxing Town, Linjiang Town, Baochang Town, Changle Town, Yuelai Town, Yudong Town, Sijia Town, Zhengyu Town, and Haiyong Township. It lies between 31°46′–32°09′ north latitude and 121°04′–121°32′ east longitude, covering a total area of 1,148.77 square kilometers. The annual planting area of Haian Taro in the city is around 367 hectares, with a total output of 4,404 tons and a total output value of 70.464 million yuan.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. Sensory Characteristics: The tubers are nearly spherical or irregularly oval in shape, with a yellowish-brown skin featuring concentric rings and milky-white flesh that is dense in texture. The typical commercial tuber weighs between 20–100 grams, with individual size varying significantly based on soil, fertilizer and water conditions, and plant vigor. Longer cultivation periods tend to produce larger tubers. Peeled Haian Taro tubers can be braised, boiled, used in soups, or paired with meat dishes. They offer the fragrance of beans, remain firm even after prolonged cooking, are mealy yet hold together, have a fragrant and slightly sweet taste, and leave a lingering aftertaste. 2. Intrinsic Quality: Tests show that every 100 grams of fresh Haian Taro contains over 5.0 grams of protein, over 21.0 grams of starch, and a total amino acid content of over 3.0%. 3. Safety Requirements: The safety and quality of Haian Taro comply with the local standard of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, titled "Non-polluted Food Taro Production Technical Regulations" (DB3206/T047—2004). The product also meets the requirements of the "Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Non-polluted Vegetable Safety Requirements" (GB18406.1-2001).