Fried Rounds Among fried snacks, there is one called Fried Rounds. Made from glutinous rice flour shaped into balls, filled with brown sugar, coated with white sesame seeds on the outside, and then deep-fried in oil. They taste incredibly sweet and delicious. I remember that back in Fangxian County, there were only two places that sold this snack: one just outside the South Gate and another on West Street. When I was a child, my grandfather adored me and often took me to buy them.…
The designated production area for Fangxian Shiitake Mushrooms spans 19 townships, including Chengguan Town, Qingfeng, and Damu in Fangxian County. The cultivation of Fangxian Shiitake Mushrooms dates back over 1,000 years, having been offered as tribute during the Tang Dynasty when Prince Lu Ling resided in Fangxian. In September 1981, at the National Edible Fungi Evaluation Conference held in Kunming, Yunnan, Fangxian Shiitake Mushrooms ranked first overall in quality…
After Emperor Li Xian of the Tang Dynasty was demoted by Empress Wu Zetian to Lingzhou Prefecture, he drank a type of glutinous rice wine made by the local people. Later, when he returned to the capital to reclaim the throne, he brought the Lingzhou glutinous rice wine back as imperial wine. It later became known among the common people as “yellow wine,” from which its name originates. Lu Lingwang was the son of Empress Wu Zetian — Emperor Li Xian of the Tang Dynasty, also known as Emperor Zhongzong. In the first year of the Tang Sisheng era (684 AD)...
Dried bamboo shoots, fresh-preserved bamboo shoots, and bamboo shoot slices. Nutritional value: Rich in carbohydrates, fats, proteins, as well as phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins, and various other elements. Highly nutritious, they are a traditional delicacy in China. Medicinal value: Bamboo shoots are sweet, fresh, and crisp, with a high content of crude fiber, which helps promote intestinal peristalsis and stimulates the secretion of digestive glands, aiding digestion...
Generally speaking, there are few in this world who dislike money; many yearn to possess it. In pursuit of wealth and gold, some labor honestly, toiling their whole lives; others manage wisely, prospering through skillful means; some engage in power-for-money deals; and still others resort to any means necessary, even killing for profit. Yet, in the mountain villages of southern Zhushan County…
Guandu Five-Spice Dried Tofu from Guandu Town, Zhushan County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, is a traditional handmade delicacy passed down through generations in the Hu Zongquan family. It boasts a unique flavor—sweet, refreshing, and richly aromatic. Whether enjoyed as a snack with drinks or used in cooking, it is considered a premium delicacy. Since the first year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty, Guandu dried tofu has been regarded as a treasured dish by the locals…
In Liulin Township, Zhushan County, almost every household has the tradition of making their own cured meat. The method for making Liulin cured meat is actually quite simple: fresh pork is salted for 4 to 5 days before being smoked. It is said that experienced locals in Liulin prefer to use pine branches, cinnamon branches, and Chinese toon branches to smoke the meat. The smoking process requires great care—…
The craft name for turquoise is “songshi” (松石), derived from its pinecone-like shape and pine-green color. Its English name, Turquoise, means “Turkish stone.” However, turquoise is not produced in Turkey. Legend has it that ancient Persian turquoise was transported to Europe via Turkey, hence the name. Turquoise is one of the ancient gemstones beloved by people throughout history...
Chinese gallnut: Also known as "hundred-insect barn," Chinese gallnut is an important industrial raw material. The main production area is Zhushan County, which is also one of the largest producers of Chinese gallnut in Hubei Province and across China. The gallnuts from this region are large in size and high in tannic acid content, ranking among the best varieties nationwide. In 1985, with assistance from the Nanjing Institute of Chemical Industry Research under the Chinese Academy of Forestry in Nanjing and the Yunnan Shellac Research Institute, Zhushan County built a forest product chemical factory primarily focused on processing Chinese gallnut. This facility annually produces five types of products, including industrial tannic acid, industrial gallic acid, and TMP, all featuring leading domestic technology and equipment. Since its launch in 1987, the products have been widely sold across China and exported to countries such as Japan, the United States, and France.
The "Fangxian Yanghe," applied for by the Fangxian Shennongyuan Vegetable Professional Cooperative, has been recognized as a "Grade A Green Food Product" by the China Green Food Development Center and has been granted the right to use the national Green Food logo. As a unique wild vegetable in Fangxian that is both edible and medicinal, Yanghe is rich in various nutrients such as protein, vitamin C, and vitamin A...
Also known as solid bean oil, Bean Oil Essence is a high-nutrition, high-protein green food. It features a light yellow, glossy and smooth appearance, a delicate and refreshing taste that melts in the mouth, and is rich in nutrients, making it an excellent health product and a great gift choice. Bean Oil Essence is packed with high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, isoflavones, and…
Fangxian Small Flower Mushrooms are an authentic local specialty of Fangxian. In 1970, when the Shennongjia Nature Reserve was established, two-thirds of the forest area was transferred from Fangxian, making the specialties of Shennongjia and Fangxian share the same origin. In 2009, they were recognized as a National Agricultural Product Geographical Indication by the Ministry of Agriculture. Flower mushrooms are the stars among fungi. The tops of these mushrooms are light black in color, with cracked white patterns on the surface…
Fangxian Giant Knotweed is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb known for its effects in clearing heat and dampness, promoting blood circulation to relieve pain, facilitating bowel movements and detoxification, as well as relieving cough and reducing phlegm. It contains an important substance called resveratrol. Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant that can reduce blood viscosity, inhibit platelet aggregation and promote vasodilation, maintaining smooth blood flow...
Shengshui Maojian is a specialty of Zhushan County, Shiyan City, Hubei Province. This tea is meticulously crafted using traditional techniques combined with modern technology. It features a verdant green appearance, an elegant and high fragrance, a refreshing taste, bright and tender green liquor, and delicate, even leaves. Shengshui Maojian comes from Zhushan in Hubei Province, known as China’s hometown of high-aroma ecological green tea, where ecological conditions are exceptionally favorable...
Zhushan Yunyang Large Chicken is a specialty of Zhushan County in Shiyan City, Hubei Province. The Yunyang Large Chicken has a long history of development and is a dual-purpose breed for both meat and eggs. The highest quality meat and eggs come from Zhushan County and the Shennongjia Forest District, which are considered the central production areas. Originally known as Zhushan Large Chicken, the Yunyang Large Chicken is an outstanding breed from the Bashan region south of the Qinling Mountains and is classified as a dual-purpose breed for eggs and meat.…
Zhushan Belly-Bark: Zhushan County is renowned as the “Hometown of Belly-Bark in China,” with a climate highly suitable for the growth of belly-bark trees. Since the 1960s, the county has been committed to expanding and strengthening this unique forestry specialty industry. A series of measures have been taken to accelerate the development of belly-bark bases, nurture and grow processing enterprises, and support enterprises in…
Unusual Turtle and Softshell Turtle Dishes Block the River – Not only is the Du River abundant in fish and shrimp (mainly small white shrimp), but it also teems with turtles and softshell turtles. Modern people, especially us Chinese, love to eat, and love to eat lavishly. To cater to the craving for novel and peculiar foods, although I can’t afford such delicacies myself, nor do I have the chance to indulge in them at public expense, I still aim to serve the public by devising…
Bamboo River Fish The Bamboo River, a major tributary of the Han River, originates from the deep mountains in the southern part of Zhushan County at the junction of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Hubei provinces. Flowing broadly from south to north, it carves out crystal-clear, richly flavored waters. Along its course, it gathers the lush greenery of countless peaks, valleys, pines, cypresses, and bamboos shrouded in mist, as well as the fragrant intermingling of plum, orchid, chrysanthemum, peony, and wild vines along both banks. It surges forward with the vibrant essence of mountain light and water hues, ...
Three-Delights Soup is made with mutton dumplings, bean vermicelli, and spiced beef slices, all blended in a savory beef broth. The preparation involves placing a large pot on the stove with chunks of beef, beef bones, and five-spice seasonings to simmer — this is called “stewing the pot.” Once the beef becomes tender, an unglazed earthenware basin with no bottom is placed in the center of the pot, keeping the beef outside the basin. Then...
Ground Rice is the staple food of mountain dwellers in the southern high-cold regions. It is made by moistening corn grits with water, then steaming them in a steamer. Once steamed, the contents are turned over, sprinkled with water, mixed evenly, and steamed again until fully cooked. This dish is typically served with “Hezha Soup.” As locals say: “Ground Rice, Hezha Soup — only then does the heart feel at ease.”…