Lyusi jellyfish. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Nantong Hexianji Food Technology and Jiangsu Xinzhong Brewing, based in Nantong, Jiangsu province, were recently approved to use a geographical indication logo for their products, Lyusi jellyfish and Tongzhou fermented bean curd.

A GI acts like a product's "ID card", symbolizing its distinctive quality and regional characteristics. This indication helps producers enhance brand value, expand market reach, and strengthen competitiveness. It offers consumers a quick way to identify high-quality local specialties, reducing the cost and risk of making choices.

Tongzhou fermented bean curd. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Lyusi jellyfish have incredibly high nutritional value, rich in protein, calcium, iron, and other nutrients. After meticulous processing, they have red skin and taste crispy and delicious. Known for their chewiness and crunchiness, locals usually refer to them as crunchy dishes.

Tongzhou fermented bean curd, also known as the "Eastern cheese", is primarily made from soybeans, with rice wine as the main soup ingredient and rice, salt, sugar, red yeast rice, sesame oil, and other auxiliary ingredients. Its outer layer is firm, while the inside is soft and tender. It is renowned for its bright color, delicious taste, as well as smooth and glutinous texture.

As of now, 157 market entities in Nantong have been approved to use the GI logo, ranking fourth in the province. The total output of the GI-related industries in the city has exceeded 20 billion yuan ($2.76 billion).