GUIYANG, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Chili peppers serve as the soul of the local cuisine in Guizhou Province, southwest China. They are an essential ingredient in every dish, and the absence of this indispensable spicy delight renders the dish incomplete. Even vegetarian options, such as the boiled green melon and beans, are traditionally served with a flavorful chili dipping sauce.
Early in the morning, the city of Zunyi awakens with a variety of restaurants large and small serving mutton rice noodles. One popular dish is a piping hot bowl of rice noodles swimming in chili-infused red oil. Particularly popular among those who enjoy the unique texture of rice noodles, the spiciness of the chili in this dish often takes precedence over the mutton itself.
"For the people of Zunyi, having chili peppers is crucial for satiating hunger, and only by satisfying one's hunger can their spirits remain high. while the absense of a staple food such as rice may be manageable at times, the absence of chili peppers is unthinkable," said an owner of a mutton rice noodle restaurant in Yongxing Township, Zunyi City.
From the spicy and sour soup with fish and hot pot, to kebabs in the night markets, chili peppers are irreplaceable in these delectable dishes. Whether it's in the form of paste pepper, pickled pepper, oil pepper, or roasted pepper, the diverse range of peppers adds a distinct and beloved flavor to local cuisine.
Historical records indicate that the culinary use of chili peppers in Guizhou can be traced back over 400 years, signifying a long-standing tradition and appreciation for the spicy ingredient in the region.
Chili peppers are not only tempting foodies, but also spicing up the economy. Within the city of Zunyi, there is a renowned township Xiazi, known as the "Chinese Pepper City," a bustling hub serving as a trading center where pepper dealers gather daily.
During the summer, fresh chili peppers are bought and sold there, turning the entire "pepper city" into a vibrant "red sea" of activity. Thousands of chili pepper brokers converge here, actively seeking out business opportunities and contributing to the economic vitality of the region.
The "pepper city" in Xiazi has evolved over time. From its early days of spontaneous and scattered trading, it has become the Zunyi professional chili pepper market. It now serves as the central trading hub, with big data centers, financial service centers, logistics distribution centers and inspection and quarantine centers.
After years of development, the market now covers an expansive area of 458 mu (about 30.53 hectares), capable of facilitating the annual trade of 750,000 tonnes of chili peppers. Put into operation in 2017, the "pepper city" embraced a transaction volume of nearly 300,000 tonnes last year, with a total transaction value of approximately 7.2 billion yuan (about 1 billion U.S. dollars).
Shi Yongsong, the executive vice president of Zunyi Pepper Industry Association, has dedicated over 30 years of his life to the chili pepper industry. His family's connection to peppers runs deep, as his father, even in his 70s, remains actively involved in pepper production and trading. "It feels like we were born for peppers. From planting peppers to buying and selling them, our ancestors have been intimately connected to peppers for generations," Shi said.
Shi said that in addition to selling Guizhou peppers produced in Zunyi, the "pepper city" also sells peppers from various other provinces and regions in China, including Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Henan, as well as those imported from India, Myanmar and other countries. Now, chili peppers traded in the "pepper city" come from more than 80 countries and regions.
Guizhou, being home to China's only chili pepper market, holds a significant position in the pepper trading industry. The pepper index in Guizhou serves as a "weather vane" for pepper trading, providing valuable insight into market trends. Each year, when peppers are listed, many regions and marketplaces await the price of Guizhou chili peppers before determining the pricing of their own pepper varieties.
The vibrant red chili pepper represents prosperous days for pepper farmers in Guizhou. According to data from the agriculture and rural affairs department of Guizhou Province, the chili pepper planting area in Guizhou accounts for approximately one-tenth of the global total and one-sixth of China's total. There are 20 counties in the province which boasts planting areas of chili peppers exceeding 100,000 mu. In recent years, the annual chili pepper output in Guizhou remained stable at around 7.8 million tonnes, with an annual output value of approximately 27 billion yuan.
"Indeed, the pepper industry should not be underestimated as it has the potential to bring substantial benefits if managed effectively," said Wang Jie, an agricultural technician at a chili pepper planting base in Tangbian Village, while he shares his knowledge with the villagers in areas including seedling raising, fertilization, and pest control. ■
