"Silkworms spin silk, bees make honey, trees yield oil, and mountains produce chestnuts" — this is the local specialty that the people of Luotian in the Dabie Mountains of eastern Hubei take great pride in, and it has become a source of wealth and honor. The cultivation of chestnuts in this county began as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. With a wide variety of cultivars, unique colors and flavors, and production spread across the entire county, all chestnut products sold externally are branded as "Luotian..."
In the past, some believed that "Erhe Sanzheng" originated from "Mianyang Sanzheng." However, this is not the case. Firstly, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Erhe and Mianyang both belonged to Mianzhou, sharing the same culinary roots. Secondly, "Erhe Sanzheng" not only inherits the strengths of "Mianyang Sanzheng" but also achieves breakthroughs and further development. For example, "Mianyang Sanzheng" typically includes steamed green fish, steamed pork, and steamed vegetables,...
The pancakes commonly referred to by locals in Xiaogan are oval, diamond-shaped, or round oven-baked breads made from flour mixed with water and various ingredients. Among them, the most famous is the Hu Bing, which locals call sesame pancakes; the crisp pancake is known as lard pancake. In many parts of China, oven-baked breads are also called shaobing. Oven-baked breads are among the oldest types of flour-based food in China. …
Bean Oil Lotus Root Rolls, commonly known as Bean Oil Rolls, are a famous traditional vegetarian dish from Xiaogan, a Chu-region city in Hubei Province. As Xiaogan has long been renowned for producing high-quality lotus roots, locals have always enjoyed cooking a variety of lotus root dishes. Especially during festivals and celebrations, nearly every household prepares this delicious bean oil delicacy. Legend has it that Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, grew up in poverty...
When people hear about “Fankou Bream” and “Bash River Lotus Root,” their hearts fill with delight. But what makes them so special? Why is the lotus root from this area particularly delicious? In fact, not all lotus roots produced in the Bash River region are tasty—the truly delicious ones come from Zhima Lake. Zhima Lake is located about ten li north of Bash River Town in Xishui County, bordering the Yangtze River to the south and the Bashui River to the west, covering an area of over a thousand acres. Surrounded by hills, the lake has deep, fertile mud. In the past, the lake often suffered from breaches, with river and floodwaters pouring in, yet the lotus roots remained vibrant. The locals have woven a beautiful myth around this phenomenon. It is said that long ago, a red-crested, white-feathered crane flew from the South China Sea carrying a lotus seed, intending to scatter divine seeds along the banks of the Yellow River. But as it soared over Zhima Lake, captivated by the picturesque scenery, it exclaimed in awe, “How wonderful!” The emerald, glistening lotus seed then dropped into the lake. Strangely enough, the following spring, the lake was covered with lush, floating lotus leaves that lingered for months. By autumn, when locals went fishing, they harvested lotus roots as white as jade—crisp, sweet, and delicious.
Pig farming is a traditional industry in Xishui, where households have long-standing habits and experience in raising pigs. The region enjoys a favorable climate, superior geographical conditions, abundant resources, and ample forage, making it suitable for both cultivation and animal husbandry. In recent years, pig production has developed into a leading industry in our county, with the county Party committee and government vigorously promoting the industrialization of pig farming. The main characteristics of pig production in our county are as follows:
The Maoshan crabs (from Ce Lake in Xishui and Maoshan Mountain in Qichun), scientifically known as the Chinese mitten crab, are renowned for their large size, plump bodies, rich roe, and delicious flavor. According to the Qizhou Annals from the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu era: “Crabs from around Maoshan Mountain have richer roe and sweeter taste, surpassing those from other places.” Each Maoshan crab can weigh up to half a pound, and the abundance of roe causes them to crawl with their bellies flat against the ground...
This wine is made from pure glutinous rice using traditional brewing techniques. When poured into a glass or swirled, the liquid forms a series of delicate, cascading flower-like rings that last for quite some time. It is named “Glutinous Rice Stacked Blossom Wine” because of its glutinous rice base and the stacked blossom effect. The Wuzu brand Glutinous Rice Stacked Blossom Wine is a high-quality Xiaoqu liquor produced by Huangmei County Distillery. Originally called aged rice wine…
In mid-November 2005, Huangmei County in Hubei Province was designated as the “Hometown of the White-naped Crane in China” by the China Wildlife Conservation Association, and the plaque was awarded in Kunming in December. According to reports, since observations began in 1986, the white-naped crane — a first-class nationally protected bird — has migrated to Longgan Lake in Huangmei County every year for wintering, with the population consistently around 400...
Braised Black Carp Tail in Wuhanxiang Style Made with a 5-kilogram fresh black carp, using about 1.5 kilograms of the tail section, cooked with ingredients such as soaked dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, red chili peppers, scallions, ginger, refined salt, soy sauce, MSG, sugar, starch, and lard. Stir-fried Yellow Eel Slices with Green Soybeans: The green soybeans are peeled, and the yellow eel is deboned and sliced, then seasoned with salt, vinegar…
The pea varieties planted last year in Longping Subdistrict and to be promoted this year are Zhongwan 6. Zhongwan 6 belongs to the legume family, subfamily Faboideae, tribe Fabeae, and is a biennial herbaceous plant. Its growth characteristics are similar to those of local broad beans. Zhongwan 6 is a short-vined, hard-podded, round-seeded pea primarily used for consumption and bears white flowers. Peas...
Yam contains 18 nutrients including sugar, protein, potassium, amino acids, and vitamins. When stewed, it emits a rich aroma and has a unique flavor. It offers various health benefits such as nourishing yin, benefiting the lungs, strengthening the kidneys and stomach, stopping diarrhea, resolving phlegm, and moisturizing hair—making it an excellent food-medicine. Wuxue has a history of over 300 years in yam cultivation, particularly in Longping...
Big Gold Grapes are a specialty of Dajin Town, Wuxue City, Huanggang, Hubei Province. The Big Gold Grapes have achieved economies of scale, with strong local demand and a supply shortage. They are known for their sweet taste, large berries, and are highly favored by fruit wholesalers. There are seven villages in Dajin Town engaged in grape cultivation, including Zhangbang, Liuyuan, Liuyuanzheng, Songyu, and Zhugan, and the varieties include...
Dajin Pork Intestine Noodles is a specialty snack from Dajin Town, Wuxue City, Huanggang, Hubei Province. Dajin Pork Intestine Noodles is very famous throughout Wuxue and has become one of the local culinary icons of Dajin, as well as a must-eat dish for locals having breakfast or returning home after being out. The preparation method for Dajin Pork Intestine Noodles is as follows: 1. Prepare the noodles (also called strips or noodle strips)...
Wuxue Doufu Pao is a specialty of Wuxue City, Huanggang, Hubei Province. With a smooth exterior and a porous, springy interior created by deep-frying, Wuxue Doufu Pao has long been used to accompany stewed or braised meat dishes in both urban and rural areas of Wuxue. Locals commonly refer to these dishes as “Doufu Pao Stewed Meat” or “Doufu Pao Braised Meat.” Wuxue Doufu Pao is made by slicing…
Longping Oil Noodles are a specialty of Longping Town, Wuxue City, Huanggang, Hubei Province. Also known as Wuxue Oil Noodles, Guangji Oil Noodles, Silver Thread Noodles, or Dragon Beard Noodles, they are as fine as silk and as white as jade. After cooking, they remain unbroken, don’t become mushy in water, and don’t stick together. When tasted, they offer a delicious flavor and a smooth, refreshing texture. "Longping Oil Noodles" are a traditional and distinctive product of Wuxue City, Hubei...
“Wuxue Bamboo Weaving” is a traditional specialty of Wuxue City with a development history of over 100 years. It combines practicality and aesthetics, being “sturdy yet not bulky, delicate yet not flimsy, decorative yet not overly ornate.” Renowned both domestically and internationally for its intricate patterns and unique artistic expression, it is hailed as the “finest bamboo ware in China.”
Guangji Shanmu Black Soil Chicken: Its feathers are entirely black with a hint of iridescent black, glossy and shiny. Due to the uniqueness of the breed, excellent meat quality, and high nutritional value, it has gained popularity among consumers. The meat of this black chicken is tender, fragrant, delicious, and offers medicinal health benefits such as cancer prevention and diabetes prevention. Guangji Shanmu...
Guangji Buddha's Hand Yam: One of the traditional and distinctive agricultural products of our Wuxue City, it boasts a long cultural history, rich nutrition, unique flavor, and is highly favored by consumers. The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine accepted the application for geographical indication product status for "Guangji Buddha's Hand Yam," which was announced in June 2009. Guang...
Wuxue Rapeseed Oil is a specialty of Wuxue City, Huanggang, Hubei Province. "Wuxue Rapeseed Oil" is an edible oil extracted from double-low rapeseed. "Double-low" refers to the oil having low erucic acid and low glucosinolate content, earning it the reputation of being the "Olive Oil of the East." "Wuxue Rapeseed Oil" is an edible oil extracted from double-low rapeseed. "Double-low" is…