As the landmark  China-EU agreement on geographical indications entered into force on March 1, Jiangsu has three kinds of products included in the 100 Chinese GIs now also under protection in the EU, namely Nanjing’s Salted Duck, Xinghua’s Green Onion and Pizhou’s Garlic.

A large agricultural province, Jiangsu is also known for 137 iconic agricultural products recognized by China’s GI system. According to Xu Jidong, director of the Jiangsu Provincial Green Food Office, the three chosen products are all known for high-quality and unique culture.

(CFP Photo)

The Salted Duck, a dish with a long history, is delicious and tender, rich in flavor but not too greasy.

(CFP Photo)

Xinghua’s Green Onion grows mainly in Duotian, which is the local name for "raised field" and means small patches of soil created to have easy access to water for growing crops, and has a rich fragrance.

(CFP Photo)

Then Pizhou’s weather and soil are very good for growing quality garlic, which has a moderate spicy flavor.

Xu also said that the three products were selected also because they are more in line with the eating habits and preferences in the EU. The Salted Duck is a must-try dish for foreign visitors in Nanjing. The semi-finished products and condiments made from Xinghua’s Green Onion and Pizhou’s Garlic are suitable for steaks and salads.

Duck farms can be found in areas around Nanjing, such as in Jiangning District, Gaochun District and Jurong City. Xinghua has a planting area of green onion for over 3,330 hectares, the largest in China and Asia. Pizhou is home to 40,000 hectares of garlic, and the products are exported to more than 60 countries in Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. Some 30 percent of garlic in Indonesian market come from Pizhou.