Chongqing—On March 12, a significant milestone was achieved in Shizhu County, Chongqing, as the county's polygonatum (Huangjing) noodles were signed for export to Singapore. This marks the first self-operated export of Shizhu's polygonatum products, showcasing the innovative transformation of traditional Chinese medicine into modern consumer goods.
Shizhu's polygonatum noodle product (Photo/Shizhu County)
The export agreement was signed between Chongqing (Shizhu) Huaxi Village Polygonatum Noodle Co., Ltd. and Singapore Honglei International Trading. According to Li Honglei, General Manager of Honglei International Trading, the polygonatum noodles will be introduced to Singapore through local exhibitions, supermarket placements, and tasting events, bringing the unique flavor and health benefits of Shizhu's polygonatum to international consumers.
Polygonatum noodles are a novel product that combines the medicinal properties of polygonatum, a traditional Chinese herb, with high-quality wheat flour. Guo Qirui, Chairman of Huaxi Village Polygonatum Noodle Co., Ltd., explained that the noodles retain the herb's health benefits while offering a delicious and nutritious dining experience. The production process involves 16 steps and 38 meticulous procedures, resulting in a high-quality, elastic, and flavorful noodle.
Shizhu County's breathtaking natural views. (Photo/Yang Wenlong)
"This is just the first step. We aim to bring polygonatum noodles to more countries, including Japan and Spain, by setting up tasting centers later this year," Guo added.
In recent years, Shizhu has been actively developing its "three-color economy," focusing on red (chili peppers), yellow (traditional Chinese medicine like polygonatum and coptis), and green (aquatic vegetables like water shield) industries. Polygonatum, once a niche medicinal herb, has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a versatile ingredient used in products such as noodles, peach slices, wine, beverages, and even hotpot bases and coffee.
Shizhu's diverse polygonatum products (Photo/Shangyou)
Polygonatum has become a "golden industry" for rural revitalization in Shizhu. With over 10,000 acres of polygonatum cultivation, the crop yields an average of 5,000 pounds per acre, generating five times the income of traditional crops. The industry is expected to produce 20,000 tons annually, estimated at 320 million yuan (about 44.2 million USD). In addition to polygonatum noodles, the county has also introduced an 11-dish polygonatum banquet, featuring dishes like polygonatum stewed chicken and golden polygonatum meatballs, further diversifying its culinary applications.
Shizhu's polygonatum products have already reached 11 countries and regions, including Australia, Singapore, and Italy. With its innovative approach and global ambitions, Shizhu is turning polygonatum into "gold," driving rural prosperity and showcasing the potential of traditional Chinese medicine on the world stage.