The method of making chilled stone jelly has a long history, and you can also experience the charm of this distinctive delicacy during the preparation process. Chilled stone jelly is a unique snack from Henan, primarily made with stone jelly as the main ingredient. The cooking method mainly involves freezing the ingredients, and its flavor falls into the "other" category.
Root carving art is a unique form of Chinese folk arts and crafts. Xinyang, located deep in the Dabie Mountains, boasts abundant and diverse root materials, making it an ideal place for root carving creation. Currently, more than ten types of trees are commonly used for root carving, including sandalwood, privet, and azalea. Xinyang root art carries a strong earthy charm. Though “rustic” in nature, it is incredibly captivating. It preserves the natural beauty of the roots in terms of color, shape, texture, scent, and charm, offering viewers a high-level artistic experience and emotional resonance. (Xinyang)
Pumice is an acidic volcanic glass lava. After being crushed, screened, preheated, and calcined, it becomes a porous granular material—expanded perlite. When mixed with different binding agents, it can be made into various types of perlite products with different properties. These products are lightweight, have low thermal conductivity, strong sound absorption, are non-corrosive, non-combustible, acid-resistant…
The Xinyang water buffalo is a marsh-type buffalo known for its large size, well-proportioned build, strong and enduring strength, gentle temperament, and ability to thrive on coarse feed. The main production areas are Luoshan, Xinyang, Guangshan, and other counties, though it is also raised in various other cities and counties. Ideal male buffaloes feature a lion-like head, tiger-like neck, high forequarters, flat back and loin, straight front legs, and curved hind legs. The Xinyang water buffalo…
Xinyang Maojian tea is one of China's top ten famous teas. It is named "Maojian" (literally "hairy tip") because its finished leaves are tightly rolled and pointed at the end. The mountainous areas around Tianyun and Yunyang in Xinyang City feature high altitudes, heavy fog, and excellent water quality, which contribute to the production of tea leaves that are deep green in color, thick in texture, and of superior quality. Through meticulous post-processing, the finished tea boasts crystal-clear purity, a long-lasting fragrance, and a rich aftertaste. Historically...
Dabie Mountain Dried Shiitake Mushrooms – 2015 National Famous, Special, and High-Quality New Agricultural Product…
Originating in the early Qing Dynasty, this is a traditional local delicacy of Shangcheng. To make it, finely ground soybeans are crafted into thin tofu sheets, which are then rolled into tubes and placed in specially made wooden boxes to ferment. Once a white downy mold appears on the surface, the product is ready. The finished rolls have the aroma of fermented bean curd and a delicious taste. They can be used in cooking by stir-frying, deep-frying, braising, or stewing, and make an especially tasty soup when cooked with chicken broth, fresh mushrooms, and egg drop.
The quail was originally a wild bird species, known in ancient times as "an" or "baomu," among other names. Its body closely resembles that of a young chicken, with a small head and bald tail. It is highly terrestrial and is an omnivorous migratory bird. “If you’re going to eat poultry, start with quail.” Quail meat is delicious and considered a delicacy among game meats. It is rich in protein, fat, and minerals, offering high nutritional value. Additionally, quail can also be…
The smoked bacon from the mall follows traditional farmstead methods. Every year in the lunar month of December, pigs are slaughtered. The fresh meat is cut and cured for about ten days to develop its brine flavor, then air-dried for half a month, and finally hung in the kitchen to absorb smoke from the stove. After over a month, it becomes “smoked bacon.” It can be stored for a long time without spoiling, boasts a rich smoky aroma and delicious taste. When cooked and sliced, the lean meat is glossy and brownish-red, while the fat remains juicy without being greasy—perfect for both formal banquets and everyday meals. …
Deep-fried Crispy Beans is one of the uniquely flavored snacks in Shangcheng. The main ingredient is large, plump old peas, which are soaked in boiling water mixed with alkali and alum for 24 hours before being scooped out and placed in a bamboo tray. Using a sharp knife, they are lightly chopped about one-third of the way through the seed, then the peas adhering to the blade are swept into another container along the edge of the knife. Once dried and cooled, oil is added to a pan and heated until very hot. For every jin (500g) of peas, they are fried until golden brown and floating on the oil’s surface, then removed. They are then evenly mixed with salt and five-spice powder. The resulting peas have an ultra-crispy thin skin, a tender and chewy interior, with a perfect balance of softness and hardness. Salty and fragrant, they are delicious as a snack or paired with alcohol. Once packed, they’re suitable for all ages. This product has traditionally been sold by individuals carrying baskets and hawking on the streets, with no dedicated shops operating yet.
A traditional snack from Shangcheng. The main ingredients include flour, pork, and sesame oil. After stuffing and shaping, the pastry is baked against the oven wall over charcoal with low heat, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior, savory and delicious. In March 1983, during the Henan Province Famous Dishes, Specialties, and Snacks Exhibition held in Zhengzhou, Liu Fangkun, an employee of the state-run catering industry in Shangcheng, was invited to demonstrate his skills. He set up a stove on the street to bake the flaky meat-filled pastry, which became very popular. Out of the 150 varieties of snacks showcased across the province, 71 were rated as renowned specialties, and Shangcheng’s flaky meat-filled pastry was among them.
Mall Black Pigs belong to the Huainan breed, featuring all-black coats, medium body size, and are dual-purpose for both lard and meat. They possess excellent traits such as high fertility, strong adaptability, superior meat quality, and stable genetic performance. In March 2012, the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce approved “Mall Black Pigs” as a geographical indication certification trademark, making it the first such trademark in Shangcheng County...
Gastrodia elata, also known as Chi Jian, is a plant of the Gastrodia genus in the Orchidaceae family. Regarding the naming of Gastrodia elata, the famous Ming Dynasty pharmacologist Li Shizhen recorded in his work "Compendium of Materia Medica": “Chi Jian is named for its shape; Du Yao and Ding Feng are named for their unique properties; Li Mu and He Li are named for their distinct characteristics; Shen Cao and Gui Du You are named for their efficacy.” Shangcheng is located in the...
Xinyang has a long history of cultivating chestnuts. The chestnuts produced in Pingqiao District are known for their large size, tender flesh, thin shells, sweet taste, bright color, plump grains, and easily removable skins. The flesh is high in sugar content, of excellent quality, and deliciously sweet, making them highly popular and ideal for candied chestnuts. Besides being roasted, they can also be eaten raw, baked, or ground into...
Mall steamed cake is also known as rice flour cake or New Year cake. Soak the rice in clean water for 24 hours, rinse it thoroughly, then grind it into a slurry with the water still in it. The slurry should be neither too thin nor too thick (alternatively, after soaking the rice, drain the excess water and grind it into semi-dry rice flour, then add more water separately). Add distiller’s grains wine and white sugar, and stir into a paste. In winter and spring, pour the well-mixed rice paste into molds, place them in...
Eel, also known as yellow eel, is rich in protein, various vitamins, eel extract, and essential trace nutrients for human health such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It has the effects of enriching blood and energy, strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the liver. After the Start of Summer solar term, especially during Lesser Heat, eels become plump and fat, with tender and delicious meat that is highly nutritious and offers strong tonic effects. Hence, in China…
Taro, also known as dasheen, fragrant taro, taro root, hairy taro, or mountain taro, is rich in a variety of nutrients including protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium, carotene, niacin, vitamin C, B vitamins, fluoride, and saponins. It can enhance the body’s immunity and is suitable for use in anti-cancer diets. Especially high in fluoride, it helps clean teeth and prevent…
For the older generation of people in the mall, there was one essential item during the Spring Festival — hanging noodles. Hanging noodles became an indispensable part of the New Year goods. Every year in the lunar December, some skilled artisans would start preparing their tools to make handmade hanging noodles. Villagers from nearby areas would all come to the places where these noodles were made to buy some as...
Sesame cakes fall under the category of folk snacks. The newly revised county annals contain a brief passage that reads: “Crispy layered pork-filled sesame cake is a traditional snack of Shangcheng, made primarily with flour, pork, and sesame oil. After stuffing and shaping, the dough is pressed against the oven wall and baked over charcoal with low heat until the outside is crispy and the inside remains soft, resulting in a savory and delicious taste. In March 1983, the Henan Province Famous Dishes, Snacks, and Flavorful Specialties...”
Mall Stewed Dishes are a specialty of Shangcheng County in Xinyang City, Henan Province. These dishes are half-soup, half-vegetables, retaining their original flavors, tender and fragrant, rich yet not greasy, fresh without being fishy, with a mellow taste that is easy to digest and highly nutritious—making them ideal for health and wellness. Shangcheng County has earned the reputation of being a “Shangcheng Gourmet Paradise” and the honor of being named the “Hometown of Stewed Dishes in Henan Province.”…