The white radishes from Shaoyuan in Zhecheng are a premium variety in our province, characterized by their green skin, large size, high water content, sweet flavor, and crisp texture. They are exported as far as Hong Kong, Macau, and other regions.…
Huqin: One of the most renowned vegetables throughout history, it gets its name from being produced in abundance near Huxiangji. Legend has it that after Zhao Kuangyin ascended the throne wearing the yellow robe and became emperor, people from Zhe sent Huqin to Bianjing (the capital), earning praise from Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty. In 1985, it was also exhibited at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing. The reason Huqin has been cherished for thousands of years and enjoys fame both at home and abroad is...
Xiayi button mushrooms are a specialty of Xiayi County, Shangqiu City, Henan Province. Xiayi County has become one of the largest button mushroom production bases in China, and has been named a “Model County for Small Mushroom Production” by the Ministry of Agriculture of China, as well as the “Hometown of Edible Fungi in China” by the China Edible Fungi Association. Button mushrooms, also known as white mushrooms, cultivated mushrooms, or round mushrooms, are a type of edible…
Horse Head Town is located southwest of Xiayi County and southeast of Shangqiu. When Emperor Gaozong of Song (Zhao Gou) ascended the throne, Shangqiu was called Nanjing. He couldn’t feel secure in Nanjing (Shangqiu) because it was close to Dongjing (Kaifeng) and often under threat from Jin troops, so he relocated south to Lin’an. Leading his men, he set out from Nanjing (Shangqiu) heading southeast. Fearing detection by the Jin army, he dared not slow down along the way until he finally reached Horse Head Town and breathed a sigh of relief. Horse Head was a bustling market town, and Zhao Gou and his party entered a large shop, instructing the owner to first feed their horses. After washing up and taking their seats, they asked the owner, “What delicious food do you have here?” The owner replied with a smile, “We have some truly tasty dishes that I’m sure you’ll love.” He then served them a plate of freshly cooked hot dog meat, filling the room with its rich aroma. Zhao Gou and his companions eagerly grabbed the steaming-hot meat, blowing on it as they devoured it. After finishing the pile of dog meat, the owner brought over a basin of spicy and sour dog meat soup served with baked flatbread. Everyone scooped a bowl and happily dug in, leaving their stomachs fully satisfied. It was only later that the shop owner realized the group of dog meat and broth enthusiasts were none other than Emperor Gaozong Zhao Gou and his attendants. From then on, the fame of Horse Head Dog Meat spread far and wide, attracting food lovers from all directions. Visitors to Horse Head always make it a point to try the local dog meat—feeling something was missing if they didn’t—thanks to the saying that goes, “When you come to Horse Head, don’t forget to eat the dog meat. If you don’t eat dog meat, you haven’t really been to Horse Head.”
Chinese people love dumplings, so there’s a saying among the people: “Nothing tastes better than dumplings.” On the morning of Chinese New Year, every household eats dumplings—it’s a traditional custom that also elevates dumplings to a very high status. When guests visit, hosts often make dumplings as a way to entertain them, which shows great respect for the visitors. Dumplings are both...
The China Edible Fungi Association named Xiayi County the “Hometown of Edible Fungi in China” and held a plaque presentation ceremony. With this, Xiayi County became the only county-level city in China to receive this title. Since 2000, Xiayi County has made the development of edible fungi production a top priority project for enriching the people and strengthening the county. After…
Paulownia: The cultivation of paulownia in Zhecheng is said to have begun during the Former Han Dynasty. Today, paulownia trees can be found throughout the county — in urban areas, market towns, village entrances, fields, courtyards, along roadsides, and by riverbanks. Paulownia is a fast-growing and high-quality tree species. A local saying goes: “In the second year, it grows into a pole; in the third year, it resembles an umbrella; in the fourth year, it becomes a rafter; and in the fifth year, it is ready to be used as a beam.” Its wood is dense…
Starch Noodles and Starch Sheets: The starch noodles and starch sheets of Zhecheng boast a long history, excellent quality, and exquisite craftsmanship, with production taking place in villages throughout the county. The noodles are uniform in thickness, pure in texture, white in color, and long and slender; the sheets are thin, even, shiny, and transparent. Both can be boiled for a long time without becoming mushy, maintaining their appealing color and flavor. The county produces approximately 5 million kilograms annually. …
Peanuts: Zhecheng is renowned for its peanut production, especially in townships such as Huxiang, Yuanxiang, Shangzhai, and Maji. The peanuts from Zhecheng are large, plump, high in oil content, rich in nutrients, crispy and delicious, loved by both young and old, making them an essential gift for entertaining guests. The county's peanut cultivation area has reached over 40,000 mu, with an annual output of more than 6 million kilograms. In addition to...
Garlic from Zhe: The four- or six-clove garlic from Zhecheng has a long cultivation history. It is favored for its large cloves, plump flesh, rich juice, mellow flavor, and spicy taste, and is widely sold in Liaoning, Hebei, Xinjiang, Yunnan, and other regions. Its annual production has now reached over 4,000 tons, with exports to Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, Japan...
Three-Cherry Chili Peppers: A new variety introduced from Japan. Its characteristics include dense plant growth and abundant fruit, a cherry-like color, small but spicy peppers, rich and delicious flavor, and digestive and stomach-soothing benefits. Currently, the variety is widely cultivated across the county, with an annual output of approximately 3,000 tons, and enjoys strong sales both domestically and internationally. …
Persimmon trees are known as the “iron-crop,” yielding abundantly for centuries. Zhecheng Sweet Persimmons have thin skins, delicate flesh, and a honey-like sweetness, making them highly popular among people.…
Zhecheng Qiantouchun is a fast-growing greening and timber tree species unique to Zhecheng County. It features an attractive tree form, dense foliage, few pests and diseases, and strong resistance to pollution. …
Zhesang is one of the specialties of Zhecheng County and also a rare tree species in China. This tree is a type of mulberry tree with solid wood, clear grain, fine and smooth texture, and high economic value. Its leaves can be used to feed silkworms, its fruits can be made into wine, its bark has medicinal uses and can be used for papermaking, and its branches can be used to make pear paste. The Zhesang tree in Qianbanchengkou Village, Laowangji Township, Zhecheng County, planted in the early Ming Dynasty, stands 22…
Mulberry silk is one of the specialties of Zhecheng and has been popular both domestically and internationally since ancient times. During the Han Dynasty, Xiangyi County (present-day Sui County) was the national center of the silk weaving industry, supplying materials for imperial court garments, and the raw material came from Zhe County. From the Silk Road in the Han Dynasty to the current Canton Fair, mulberry silk has enjoyed a high reputation. Mulberry silk...
Peel and steam the pumpkin or yam until cooked. After removing from heat, mash into a paste. Take an appropriate amount of red date paste or red bean paste filling, wrap it up, shape it into your preferred form, or simply press it into a mold. It can be eaten as is, deep-fried, or baked in the oven.
Xu Family Glutinous Rice Balls are a uniquely flavored variety of yuanxiao (sweet glutinous rice balls) made by San Sheng Restaurant, a well-known eatery in the ancient city of Shangqiu. The restaurant was founded in the 19th year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1893) by Xu Shufu and his two martial brothers, and it is still run by the third-generation descendant of the Xu family, Xu Minglin, who mans the kitchen—hence the name “Xu Family Glutinous Rice Balls.” These rice balls are primarily made from glutinous rice...
Minquan Fine-Wool Sheep were developed through crossbreeding Australian Merino sheep and Xinjiang fine-wool sheep with Minquan Small-Tailed Han sheep. Evaluated by experts from within and outside the province, these sheep have met the standards of fine-wool breeds. The breed has been awarded the Third Prize for Scientific and Technological Achievements by the Henan Provincial Government, and Minquan County has been designated as a base county for fine-wool sheep. Over 70,000 breeding sheep have been supplied to provinces such as Shandong, Hunan, Hubei, and Anhui...
Minquan Dry Red Wine is one of the product series of Minquan Wufeng Wine Co., Ltd. It is made from premium grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and French Blue using a series of internationally advanced techniques including strict bunch selection and temperature-controlled fermentation. It presents a deep ruby red color, is crystal clear with a bright luster, boasts pleasant fruity aromas, and an elegant wine bouquet…
Minquan grapes are highly adaptable, drought-resistant, tolerant of poor and saline-alkali soils, and can be cultivated on barren hills, sandy beaches, ditch banks, or even in courtyards—especially thriving in sandy soil with large day-night temperature variations. Compared to other fruit trees, grapevines bear fruit early, yield high, live long, require low investment, show quick returns, and offer substantial profits. With proper management...