Shaodian Township in Shangcai County is renowned for its production of yellow ginger, with a history spanning over 300 years and an annual planting area of more than 10,000 mu. Originally named "Jiang" (meaning "border" or "boundary"), Shaodian Yellow Ginger was symbolic of warding off evil influences and used primarily for its medicinal properties. It was later renamed "ginger" in honor of Jiang Taigong. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, when King Wu of Zhou attacked King Zhou of Shang, as recorded in *Records of the Grand Historian: The Basic Annals of Zhou*, King Wu led...
"Sweet potato soup, sweet potato steamed buns — you can't live without sweet potatoes." This saying, which described people's close reliance on sweet potatoes during times of food scarcity, has taken on new meaning in the rural areas of Shangcai County. Once used as animal feed, sweet potatoes have now become a favorite on dining tables, and the processing industry chain based on sweet potatoes has become a "golden chain" for poverty alleviation and prosperity.
Chestnuts are among the earliest fruit trees cultivated in China, with a history of approximately 2000–3000 years. Their leaves are lanceolate or oblong, with serrated edges. The flowers are unisexual but grow on the same plant; male flowers form catkins, and when mature, the bracts split open and the chestnuts fall out. The nuts are purplish-brown, covered with yellowish-brown fuzz, or nearly smooth, with pale…
Queshan tobacco leaves are known for their bright luster, clean leaf surface, rich aroma, mellow flavor, and pure white ash. Renowned both in China and abroad for their distinctive strong-flavor characteristics unique to the Queshan region, these leaves enjoy high recognition and an excellent market reputation among major tobacco factories nationwide and internationally. Since 2000, Queshan County has established long-term and stable supply relationships with large tobacco companies in Shanghai, Longyan, Xuzhou, Ningbo, Tianjin,…
Shiitake mushrooms are the world’s second most consumed edible fungus and one of China’s specialties, often referred to as a “mountain delicacy” in folklore. They are fungi that grow on wood. With a delicious taste, fragrant aroma, and rich nutrition, they are hailed as the “queen of vegetables.” Shiitake mushrooms are rich in B vitamins, iron, potassium, and provitamin D (which converts to vitamin D upon sun exposure)...
Queshan scorpions, known locally as "Que scorpions," are listed as one of the "Treasures of Langling." Long renowned for their large size, superior breed, and remarkable medicinal efficacy, they enjoy great prestige across Central China and fame nationwide, making them one of China's precious medicinal ingredients. When used in medicine, scorpions are referred to as "whole scorpions." Whole scorpions contain toxic proteins, scorpion acid, lecithin, taurine, cholesterol, and other components. They are neutral in nature and pungent in flavor,…
Queshan Black Pigs have long, sparse coats with coarse, thick brown hair and a large body frame. They typically measure about 136 cm in length and stand around 70 cm tall. Their faces are marked with diamond-shaped wrinkles, their ears droop, and their backs and waists are straight. The meat is tender, dark red in color, and features a marbled pattern. When cooked, it has a rich flavor and does not become greasy even when eaten in larger quantities. The central production area of Queshan Black Pigs is...
Tianzhongmo Traditional Stone-Ground Sesame Oil is a specialty of Suiping County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province. The Tianzhongmo-brand stone-ground sesame oil boasts a jujube-red, transparent, and crystal-clear appearance, with an intense aroma and pure, premium oil quality. It stands at the top among all edible oils, making it an exceptional cooking ingredient. As the saying goes, where there's a sesame oil mill, the fragrance spreads to the neighbors. Tianzhongmo Traditional Stone-Ground Sesame Oil is developed by a doctor from Peking University...
Mix flour with cold water to form a batter. Boil some water in a pot, and once it’s boiling, slowly pour the batter into the pot while stirring continuously. (Alternatively, you can also directly boil the batter in the pot.) Continue until the batter reaches the desired consistency (it should form a solid mass when cooled), then pour it into a basin or bowl to cool — this is what we call 搅团 (hand-pulled noodles in broth). Or, while the batter is still hot, pour it through a multi-holed utensil (such as a sieve or colander)...
The bucket chicken shop is said to have been established during the Northern Song Dynasty. Legend has it that its cooking techniques were passed down from the imperial palace’s royal kitchen. Thanks to the strict selection of ingredients and meticulous preparation, the finished chicken is perfectly round in shape, with no cracks or broken skin. It boasts a bright yellow hue, a fragrant and refreshing taste, and a texture that is both tender and crispy—juicy without being greasy. The whole chicken is meant to be torn apart and eaten hot, ensuring the oil stays in and the flavor remains intact…
This dish features tofu shreds shaped like chrysanthemums, elegantly paired with fresh chrysanthemum flowers. The finished tofu shreds are brightly colored, tender and crispy, infused with the delicate fragrance of chrysanthemums, offering a unique flavor. …
Jinsi Jujube is a rare and treasured fruit native to the alluvial plains of the lower Yellow River, named for the golden threads that appear when it is split open. Yanshan County in Hebei Province is the birthplace of Jinsi Jujube. The "Tang Jujube Tree," recorded in the Chinese Scenic Spots Dictionary, is located within this county. The area boasts a superior geographical environment, a suitable climate, long hours of sunlight, and significant day-night temperature differences, making it…
Yanyang is a nationally registered tobacco leaf production base county. The high-quality flue-cured "Jintongshan" brand tobacco produced here can rival that of Zimbabwe, and Yanyang tobacco leaves can command a price premium of up to 15%. The current planting scale is 30,000 mu, with broad development prospects. …
The Miyang donkey is one of China’s outstanding medium-sized donkey breeds. It boasts strong and enduring working capabilities, with male donkeys typically exerting a draft force of over 200 kilograms and females around 180 kilograms. The Miyang donkey is highly resistant to disease and adaptable to various environments; it has stable genetic traits, is tolerant of coarse feed, and is easy to raise. It consumes little food, shows strong resilience to disasters, and is suitable for...
Prunella vulgaris from Queshan Queshan County has a long history of cultivating Prunella vulgaris and a solid foundation among local growers. Its production and sales account for a significant share nationwide, offering promising development prospects. In recent years, major herbal tea producers such as Jiadobao, Heqizheng, and Wanglaoji have widely adopted Prunella spikes as a key ingredient, expanding its use beyond traditional medicine...
Liuzhuang Rice is a specialty of Liuzhuang Town, Queshan County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province. The town enjoys ample sunlight, fertile soil, and a favorable climate. The rice is irrigated with water from the Bo Mountain Lake. In recent years, the promotion of pollution-free farming techniques and high-quality varieties has resulted in Liuzhuang Rice being widely renowned for its delicate fragrance and slightly sweet taste. Liuzhuang Town is located to the southeast of the county seat,…
Pine Needle Wild Fish from Boshan Lake is a specialty of Queshan County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province. With its delicious taste, fragrant aroma, and tender texture, it is hailed as a “delicacy of the waters” and is truly a premium among wild fish. “Pine Needle Wild Fish from Boshan Lake” is the only fish brand registered with the State Administration for Industry and Commerce in China. These fish are wild in...
The spiced preserved duck eggs produced in Queshan County, Henan Province are truly unique. In addition to retaining the traditional color, aroma, and flavor of preserved eggs, they offer a distinctive five-spice taste and have a shorter maturation period, hence the name "Quick-Spiced Preserved Duck Eggs." Method 1: Soaking Method Ingredients (for 150 fresh duck eggs): 5 kg of alkaline powder, 100 g of cinnamon, 100 g of fennel, 15 kg of lime...
Wagang Town is located in a shallow mountainous and hilly area, where the unique soil and climate conditions are highly suitable for sweet potato cultivation. The sweet potatoes produced here are sweet, delicious, and of excellent quality, making them highly favored by both urban and rural consumers. In recent years, the town has vigorously developed specialty crops in line with local conditions, rapidly expanding the sweet potato planting area to nearly 10,000 mu. To establish the "Wagang Sweet Potato" brand,...
The method of making pineflower eggs has a long history, and you can also appreciate the charm of these distinctive delicacies during the process. Pineflower eggs are a unique snack from Henan Province, primarily made with pineflower eggs using a pickling method, and their flavor is categorized as savory-spiced. The pineflower eggs produced in Queshan County, Henan Province are distinctive — apart from retaining…