Happy Toffee, also known as Happy Group, Sesame Glutinous Balls, or Sesame Egg, is a traditional snack from places such as Jiangling in Jingzhou, Hubei. Why is it called Happy Group? Legend has it that during the late Qing Dynasty, a family surnamed Tao in Jingzhou City was separated during wartime, enduring many hardships before finally reuniting. The elderly Mr. Tao, grateful that his family had survived the chaos, took out the stored glutinous rice...
Qianli Fangxian is located in the southern part of northwestern Hubei, at the northern foot of Shennongjia, nestled between the Daba Mountains and the Wudang Mountains, covering a total area of 5,110 square kilometers. The region boasts unique geography and climate, a beautiful ecological environment, and abundant wild resources. There are over 130 varieties of edible wild mountain vegetables alone, with an annual reserve of more than 20,000 tons, earning it the reputation of a “natural green…”
In the Dalong Mountain area of Yun County, Hubei Province, lush mountains and a unique climate have given rise to the distinctive Yunyang White-Feathered Black-Bone Chicken. This unique breed features a single comb, greenish ears, white feathers, smooth plumage, bare shanks, an upright tail, four toes, black skin, black meat, and black bones. Raised in free-range conditions by local farmers and fed on insects, wild fruits, and natural mineral feed, it forms a naturally green…
Konjac, also known as konnyaku, devil's tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, or konjac yam, is native to East India and Sri Lanka, where wild varieties still grow in tropical forests. It is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical Asian countries, with significant production in China’s Yunnan and Sichuan provinces as well as the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Konjac belongs to the Araceae family...
Fangxian has been recognized by the National Forestry Administration as the only “Hometown of Chinese Walnuts” in Hubei Province. Walnuts are spherical drupes with smooth outer skins, hard inner shells that are wrinkled and brain-shaped. They belong to the spermatophyte division, have tough wood, edible kernels, and can be pressed for oil or used medicinally. Originally from Central Asia, they are also known as hu tao or qiang tao, and along with almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts, are among the world’s famous “four major dried fruits.” They can be eaten raw or roasted, or used to make oil, pastries, candies, and more. Not only delicious, they are also highly nutritious, earning them titles such as “longevity nut” and “fruit of immortality.”
Nanhu Radish is a specialty of Jingzhou District, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province. Nanhu Radish, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province Specialty Production and Sales Association, 14228831, Radish (fresh vegetable)...
Jingzhou Xiaohuya. Xiaohuya started out as Hu Xiurong selling “fried duck in oil” from a pushcart on Meitai Lane. Later, it moved to a tiny shop of just 10 square meters at the entrance of Dasa Lane, where people would queue up all day long to “scramble” to buy Xiaohuya. Eventually, it expanded into a chain and spread beyond Jingzhou. Xiaohuya has a crispy texture without being greasy, suiting the taste of the locals in Jingzhou…
Double Bamboo Konjac Noodles—Made from premium konjac flour and premium wheat flour, with the addition of eight nutritional elements, these noodles are meticulously crafted using a scientific formula and advanced processing techniques. Supervised and tested by authoritative institutions such as the Nutrition Food Research Institute of the PLA Academy of Military Science and Technology, the Department of Bioengineering at Hubei University of Technology, and the China Health Food Association...
ZhuXi County in Hubei Province was one of the first regions in China to be honored as the "Hometown of Huanglian" (Coptis Root). Over fifty years of trials and tribulations, which felt like the blink of an eye, the growing area of Huanglian in this “hometown” has expanded from less than 1,000 mu in the early days of the founding of the People’s Republic of China to over 7,000 mu. The cultivation of small medicinal herbs, primarily Huanglian, has reached more than 70,000 mu. Local farmers are building a new ecological and civilized countryside fragrant with medicinal blossoms, lifting themselves out of...
Ganoderma, full name Ganoderma herb, according to China's first pharmacopoeia, the "Shennong Bencao Jing" (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), records that there are six types of Ganoderma: purple, red, blue, yellow, white, and black. However, modern literature and observed specimens mostly refer to the whole plant of either purple Ganoderma (Ganoderma sinense) or red Ganoderma (Ganoderma lucidum) from the Polyporaceae family. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral. Purple Ganoderma mainly contains ergosterol, organic acids, glucosamine, …
Zhuxi fermented tofu is truly unique in both color and flavor. It boasts an inviting aroma, an appetizing appearance, and a refreshing taste that stimulates the appetite. Known for its ability to whet the appetite and enhance the enjoyment of meals, it leaves a lingering aftertaste that’s hard to forget. As a child, I had to have fermented tofu with every meal, and even now, my love for it remains strong. Whenever there’s fermented tofu around…
Yunxian has relatively abundant raw lacquer resources. Raw lacquer comes from the lacquer tree, a broad-leaved species. Lacquer trees are mainly distributed in towns and townships such as Nanhua, Wufeng, Liubei, Liaowa, Chadian, Baoxia, and Yetan. Lacquer can be harvested once the trees reach maturity, with a one-year interval between harvests. During the tapping season, harvesting generally takes place annually from the Dragon Boat Festival in the fifth lunar month to the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth lunar month...
Yunxian Net Oil Sand is a premium and renowned dish from Yunxian County. It is said to have originated in Bianjing during the Northern Song Dynasty and was once a delicacy served at banquets of royalty and nobility. The ingredients and preparation method of Net Oil Sand are extremely refined. Its filling uses high-quality red cowpeas, which are boiled with rice, simmered over low heat, then shelled, drained, and mashed into paste. Once made, it can be kept for a whole year without discoloration or loss of flavor...
Sour soup noodles are a traditional snack from Yun County, a major town in northwestern Hubei, with a history of over 300 years. Known for their springy texture, smooth taste, white color, delicious flavor, and appetizing sour-spicy taste, they have become widely beloved. In summer, they help cut through greasiness, aid digestion, and refresh the appetite; in winter, adding more chili oil and pepper not only warms the body but also stimulates the appetite. The cooking method of sour soup noodles…
Yunxian County grass mats, commonly known as "doorway mats" or "doormat rugs," are a major specialty of Yunxian County. Many farming households in areas such as Meipu, Liudong, Nanbei, and Baishang in the county possess the skill to weave these mats from dragon beard grass. The county produces around 600,000 mats annually, with peak production reaching up to 1 million mats, making them one of the main handicrafts for export. Yunxian County is rich in...
Yunxian County has a history of over a thousand years in citrus cultivation. The main variety is the native herbaceous orange, which is primarily grown around homes and in front of yards. During the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, kumquats were introduced from Sichuan. Superior to the native herbaceous oranges, kumquats gradually became widespread throughout the county, emerging as a major fruit crop. These are mainly distributed along the valleys of the Han River and Du River, particularly in hilly and elevated areas at altitudes of 200 to 300 meters in towns such as Liubei, Wufeng, and Baoxia...
Sweet potatoes are known as one of the “Three Treasures of Shiyan.” They are planted on approximately 500,000 mu of land annually, yielding around 400 million jin (converted to clean grain), ranking first in Hubei Province. They are a key resource for Shiyan and rank fourth among grain crops in terms of planting area. The Eshu 6 variety of sweet potato grown in our city has achieved a maximum yield of 14,962 jin per mu, with a starch content...
The mulberry silkworm industry in Shiyan City has a long history, but due to market fluctuations, it has experienced ups and downs over the years, remaining small in scale and short in industrial chain. In recent years, with the implementation of the “East Silk to West” project, Shiyan has become a new advantageous region for the development of the national mulberry silkworm industry, and farmers’ enthusiasm for production continues to grow. Developing an ecological mulberry silkworm industry is not only...
Whiteflower Artemisia, also known as Erigeron annuus or Eupatorium lindleyanum, is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. It is widely distributed in the mountainous areas of Shiyan and commonly found along forest edges, under forest canopies, and at field margins. The tender shoots of Whiteflower Artemisia are edible, with a delicate and delicious flavor and rich nutrition. They contain proteins, fats, and various vitamins and minerals. Regular consumption can aid digestion and enhance gastrointestinal function…
Pueraria flower: Harvested when the flower has not yet bloomed after the beginning of autumn, with stems and leaves removed, then dried. Regular consumption of pueraria flower tea can help treat alcohol-induced fever, thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting, acid reflux, vomiting blood, and bloody stools. Using it to cook dishes not only enhances flavor but also benefits those suffering from poor appetite and indigestion...