Jinyun Coix Seed

Jinyun Coix Seed

　　Jinyun Coix Seed has a long history of cultivation. Legend has it that it was used as an ingredient in the elixirs refined by the Yellow Emperor, Xuanyuan. According to the *Xian Du Zhi* (Records of Xian Du) from the eighth year of the Zhizheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1348 AD), among the 178 types of plants identified as medicinal, including “peony, white atractylodes, raspberry, and coix seed,” Jinyun Coix Seed was listed as one of the local traditional Chinese medicinal resources. The people of Jinyun County have long had the habit of planting coix seed at the edges of fields, in low-lying paddies, or along ditches, and it is also common in folk tradition to cook coix seed stuffed in pig’s stomach. A local folk tune goes: “Coix seed surpasses the lingzhi mushroom, offering high nutritional value as both food and medicine; regular consumption can prolong life and has remarkable anti-aging effects.” After the reform and opening-up, the Jinyun Coix Seed industry saw significant development. Especially in the 21st century, as a dedicated raw material for producing “injection-grade coix seed oil,” Jinyun Coix Seed has attracted widespread attention from all sectors of society and has won the Gold Award at the Zhejiang Provincial Agricultural Exposition multiple times.

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication area for Jinyun Coix Seed (coix lacryma-jobi) agricultural products includes all 16 towns and townships in Jinyun County: Wuyun Town, Huzhen Town, Xinjian Town, Dongfang Town, Dongdu Town, Dayuan Town, Shuhong Town, Dayang Town, Qili Township, Shuangxikou Township, Rongjiang Township, Sanxi Township, Huayuan Township, Qianlu Township, Fangxi Township, and Shijian Township. The geographical coordinates are between 119°52′–120°25′ east longitude and 28°25′–28°57′ north latitude. The total protected area spans approximately 200,000 mu. In 2011, the planted area of coix seed (coix lacryma-jobi) was 6,000 mu, with a grain yield of over 1,500 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　(1) External Sensory Characteristics: The husk of Jinyun Coix Seed (coix lacryma-jobi) is white, and the kernel is pale yellow, taking a broad oval shape; after dehulling, the endosperm is milky white with a slightly waxy, powdery texture and a jade-like white cross-section. When cooked, the broth turns milky white, emits a faint fragrance, is free of residue, and has a mildly sweet taste. (2) Internal Quality Indicators: Moisture content must not exceed 13.0%. Total ash content must not exceed 2.0%. The crude protein in the seed kernel must be no less than 13.0%, the alcohol-soluble extractables no less than 5.5%, and the lipid content no less than 3.0%. (3) Quality and Safety: It meets the edible safety requirements of the *NY/5305-2005 Non-Polluted Food – Millet*.