Where do water chestnuts come from? An introduction to the latest distribution of the main producing areas
The water chestnut, also known as horseshoe, water chestnut, and fuci, is a perennial root herbaceous plant of the Cyperus genus in the Cyperaceae family. It is purple-black in color, with pure white flesh, sweet and juicy, crisp and delicious, and has the reputation of “underground snow pear.” Northerners call it “Jiangnan ginseng.” It can be eaten raw as a fruit or cooked as a vegetable. Now let us take a look at where water chestnuts come from!
Where do water chestnuts come from?
The water chestnut originated in India, with about 150 species worldwide, widely distributed across the globe, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. In China, cultivation has been recorded since the Western Han Dynasty. There are currently more than 20 species and some varieties, mainly distributed in low-lying areas of Guangxi, Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Guizhou, and other places, with some distribution in parts of Hebei as well. Baihu Town, Lujiang County, Anhui Province, is rich in high-quality water chestnuts and is China's largest “hometown of water chestnuts.” Qingshan Town, Lipu County, Guilin City, Guangxi, is a nationally recognized “hometown of horseshoe.” Lechang water chestnuts from the Shaoguan area of Guangdong are famous for their large size, thin skin, tender flesh, ample moisture, sweet taste without residue, and crisp, delicious texture. In addition, Maoli Town, Shayang County, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, is also a water chestnut producing area, and its products have long been exported overseas and are widely renowned.
The growing environment of water chestnuts
Water chestnuts prefer to grow in ponds or are cultivated in paddy fields. Propagation uses corms, also called fruit balls, for asexual reproduction. They like warmth and moisture and fear freezing, and are suitable for growing in loam with a soft plow layer and firm subsoil. In cultivation, a plow layer of 20-25 cm is required, which is beneficial for the growth and development of the corms, prevents the corms from drilling too deep, keeps individual development uniform and consistent in size, and also facilitates digging and harvesting. If the plow layer is too sticky, it is not conducive to the expansion of the corms; if there is too much humus, the sugar content of the corms decreases and the sweetness is poor. They are suitable for growing in shallow water. In terms of nutrient requirements, they need less nitrogen fertilizer and more phosphorus fertilizer. Throughout the entire growth period, sufficient light is required.
Cultivated varieties of water chestnuts
1. Guilin horseshoe: A local variety of Guilin City, Guangxi. The plant height is 100-120 cm, and the spread is 20 cm. The corm is flat-round, 2.4 cm high and 4 cm in transverse diameter. The terminal bud is thick and strong, and the two side buds often stand side by side, hence the name “three masts.” The skin is reddish-brown and the flesh is white, with a single weight of 30 grams. It is mainly eaten fresh, but can also be cooked or processed. It has relatively high sugar content, crisp flesh, and excellent quality. It grows vigorously and has relatively strong lodging resistance. From June to July, corms are used for seedling raising. The seedling period is 25 days, and the growth period is 130-140 days, with a yield of 1500-2000 kg per mu.
2. Water horseshoe: A local variety of Guangdong. The plant height is 70-90 cm, and the spread is 15-20 cm. The corm is flat-round, 2 cm high, with a transverse diameter of 2.5-3 cm. The terminal bud is relatively pointed and long, the skin is dark brown, and the flesh is white. A single one weighs 10 grams. It has high starch content and is mainly used for cooked food and starch production. It grows vigorously and has relatively strong stress resistance, is moisture-tolerant, and does not store well. From June to July, corms are used for seedling raising. The seedling period is 25 days, and the growth period is 130-140 days, with a yield of 1500 kg per mu.
3. Jiuji: Jiuji is native to the Philippines. The plant height is 110-120 cm. The corm is large and oval, with a transverse diameter of 4 cm and a longitudinal diameter of 2.6 cm. A single one weighs 25 grams. It is crisp in texture and sweet in taste, with good quality, and is mainly eaten fresh, with a yield of more than 2000 kg per mu.
4. Xiaoganji: Xiaoganji is a local variety of Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. The plant height is 90-110 cm. The corm is flat-round and bright red, with an average single weight of 22 grams. The skin is thin, the taste is sweet, the texture is fine with little residue, and it is mainly eaten fresh, with good quality. The yield is 1000-1500 kg per mu.
5. Suji: Suji is a local variety of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. The plant height is 100-110 cm. The corm is flat-round, with a pointed terminal bud and a flat navel. The skin is thin and the flesh is white, with a single weight of about 15 grams. It is suitable for processing into canned goods. The yield is 750-1000 kg per mu.
6. Yuhangji: Yuhangji is a local variety of Yuhang County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The corm is flat-round, with a thick and straight terminal bud and a flat navel. The skin is brownish-red and thin, and the taste is sweet, with a single weight of about 20 grams. It is suitable for processing into canned goods and for fresh eating, with a yield of 1000-1200 kg per mu.
7. Guanghong water chestnut: Guanghong water chestnut is a local variety of Shetianqiao Town, Shaodong, Hunan. Due to the special soil of Guanghong, the water chestnuts produced each winter have white flesh, red and thin skin, a crisp and sweet taste, and a moderate size. Every year during the production season, tourists flock to buy them in an endless stream. Locals also call them “ciguazi.”