What exactly is the latest pronunciation of water chestnut (bí qi)?
The water chestnut is a seasonal favorite among the public, also known as horse hoof, water chestnut, fu ci, wu yu, pu qi, di li, ma ti er, qian cong, tu li, and so on. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with persistent roots of the genus Eleocharis in the sedge family (Cyperaceae), and enjoys the reputation of being the “underground snow pear.” People in the north call it the “Jiangnan ginseng.” It can be eaten raw as a fruit or cooked as a vegetable. Below, let us take a look at the pronunciation of water chestnut!
What is the pronunciation of water chestnut?
The pronunciation of water chestnut is [bí qi]. It is flat and round, pointed at the top, with a smooth and glossy surface, purplish red or blackish brown. It grows in ponds and marshes. The dark green stems grow in clusters above ground, and the corms below ground are edible. Because its shape resembles a horse's hoof, people also call it horse hoof. Its appearance resembles a chestnut, and not only the shape but also the nature, flavor, components, and functions are similar to those of the chestnut. Because it sets fruit in the mud, it is also called “di li” (ground chestnut).
Where is the water chestnut produced?
The water chestnut originated in India. There are about 150 species worldwide, widely distributed across the globe, with most found in tropical and subtropical regions. In China, records of cultivation date back to the Western Han Dynasty. At present, there are 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 in Lujiang County, Anhui Province, abundantly produces high-quality water chestnuts and is China's largest “hometown of water chestnuts.” Qingshan Town in Lipu County, Guilin City, Guangxi, is a nationally recognized “hometown of horse hoof.” Lechang water chestnuts in the Shaoguan region of Guangdong are famous for their large size, thin skin, tender flesh, abundant moisture, clean sweetness without residue, and crisp, pleasant taste. In addition, Maoli Town in Shayang County, Jingmen City, Hubei Province, is also a water chestnut production area, and its products have long been exported overseas and are widely known.
Common cultivated varieties of water chestnut
1. Guilin horse hoof: A local variety of Guilin City, Guangxi. The plant height is 100-120 cm, with a spread of 20 cm. The corm is flat and round, 2.4 cm high and 4 cm in transverse diameter. The terminal bud is thick and strong, and the two lateral buds are often side by side, hence the name “three masts.” The skin is reddish brown and the flesh is white, with a single weight of 30 g. It is mainly eaten fresh, and 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 propagation; 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 horse hoof: A local variety of Guangdong. The plant height is 70-90 cm, with a spread of 15-20 cm. The corm is flat and round, 2 cm high and 2.5-3 cm in transverse diameter. The terminal bud is relatively pointed and long, the skin is blackish brown, and the flesh is white. A single corm weighs 10 g. It has high starch content and is mainly used for cooked eating and starch production. It grows vigorously, has relatively strong stress resistance, tolerates moisture, and does not store well. From June to July, corms are used for seedling propagation; the seedling period is 25 days, and the growth period is 130-140 days, with a yield of 1500 kg per mu.
3. Jiujiang water chestnut: Jiujiang water chestnut originated in 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 corm weighs 25 g. It is crisp and sweet, with good quality, mainly eaten fresh, with a yield of more than 2000 kg per mu.
4. Xiaogan water chestnut: Xiaogan water chestnut is a local variety of Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. The plant height is 90-110 cm. The corm is flat and round, bright red, with an average single weight of 22 g. The skin is thin, the taste is sweet, and the texture is fine with little residue. It is mainly eaten fresh and has good quality. The yield is 1000-1500 kg per mu.
5. Su water chestnut: Su water chestnut is a local variety of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. The plant height is 100-110 cm. The corm is flat and 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 g. It is suitable for processing into canned goods. The yield is 750-1000 kg per mu.
6. Yuhang water chestnut: Yuhang water chestnut is a local variety of Yuhang County, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province. The corm is flat and round, with a thick, 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 g. 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 loose texture, and are sweet. The size is moderate. Every year during the production season, visitors rush to buy them in an endless stream, and locals also call them “cigu zi.”