Large in size, thick-fleshed, elastic, sweet and sour with a delicious taste, and rich in nutrients, Neihuang jujubes have excellent medicinal and health benefits. As early as the Tang Dynasty, Neihuang jujubes were listed as tribute items. Mid-September is the season when the jujubes ripen, and visiting Anyang at this time allows you to taste fresh Neihuang jujubes. Neihuang is a major agricultural county in China, a national ecological demonstration county, and an advanced technology county...
The Zaoxiangqing Jujube Professional Cooperative of Neihuang County was established in August 2008. It evolved from the Jujube Association of Houhe Town, Neihuang County. The cooperative has one director, one deputy director, 23 board members, and 360 members. Guided by the principle of “serving society and seeking mutual benefits for all members”…
Peanuts, commonly known as "groundnuts," have a long history of cultivation in China. They are primarily grown in Henan, Shandong, Hebei, Guangdong, Sichuan, and other regions, among which Neihuang peanuts from Henan are especially renowned for their superior quality. Neihuang peanuts are exported to countries and regions such as the United States and the European Union. The Neihuang peanut production area is a Henan provincial export peanut quality safety demonstration zone. According to the *Neihuang County Annals*, peanuts are a traditional crop in Neihuang and are revered by locals as the "longevity fruit." There is a saying: "Eating peanuts regularly promotes health, and once you eat peanuts, you lose your craving for meat." By the end of the Qing Dynasty's Guangxu reign, larger trailing peanut varieties were introduced, gradually replacing the smaller ones. Many legends about peanuts are passed down in Neihuang. One such legend tells the story of a time long ago when peanut fruits grew on branches. A mother and her son, whose name was Shigunr, made a living growing peanuts. However, greedy birds, both large and small, would come every day to peck at the peanuts, making life difficult for the pair. One noon, when it was time to cook, Shigunr’s mother asked him to check on the peanuts in the field. When he got there, the birds were at it again, pecking away, and Shigunr couldn’t keep up with them. As he ran back and forth in the field, he suddenly heard someone cry “Ouch!” Turning around, he saw an old man with a white beard lying on the ground. He quickly ran over, noticed the old man’s parched lips, and immediately gave him water from his flask and some dry rations to eat. Before long, the old man woke up and said to Shigunr, “Good child, you saved my life, and I must repay you.” He then took out a white jade ball from his person and said, “Child, dig a hole in the ground with your bare hands, bury this ball in it, and you’ll never have to chase birds away again. But remember, never use anything else to dig.” Shigunr immediately knelt and kowtowed. When he looked up, the old man had vanished. Shigunr began digging with his hands, and it hurt terribly. Looking at his fingers, he saw they were bleeding. Just as he was about to grab a shovel, he remembered the old man’s words: “Never use anything else to dig.” Clenching his teeth and enduring the pain, he kept digging with his hands. When he had dug about two feet deep, he buried the white jade ball. Suddenly, the peanuts disappeared, leaving only green leaves. He hurried over, pulled up a plant, and saw—to his surprise—that the peanuts were all underneath the vines. That’s when Shigunr understood what the old man meant about not having to chase birds anymore. From then on, peanuts have always grown underground. In Neihuang County, it is still customary during weddings to include red dates, peanuts, and chestnuts as symbols of having children soon after marriage. During weddings, each corner of a new cotton quilt is filled with a pouch of red dates, peanuts, and chestnuts, sewn tightly with thin thread and a large needle. When the bride enters the house, a group of children often scrambles to grab the treats from the quilt corners. At wedding banquets or during New Year’s visits, hosts also warmly serve guests peanuts, red dates, and similar festive snacks as symbols of joy and good fortune. Folklore also includes riddles related to peanuts, such as: “A hairy house, a red curtain, inside lives a white fat person.” According to the 1987 published Republican-era *Neihuang County Annals* (page 109), “Groundnuts (come in two sizes; the larger variety was introduced to the region during the late Qing Guangxu period, also called foreign peanuts, or said to be from America).” The 1993 edition of the *Neihuang County Annals* (page 264) states: “Peanuts are a traditional crop in Neihuang. Originally, they were small pearl-type peanuts that easily fell off during harvest, requiring the top 20 cm of soil to be sieved to collect the peanuts. By the end of the Qing Guangxu period, larger trailing peanut varieties were introduced—big plants with big fruits that didn’t fall off easily—and gradually replaced the smaller ones.”
In Anyang, located in the Central Plains region, the local cuisine tends to be mild in flavor. However, in recent years, Sichuan, Cantonese, and Northeastern cuisines have successively made their way into the area. When dining out, locals enjoy ordering a bit of everything. Traditional local dishes like the "Eight Bowls" remain popular, especially for weddings and funerals. In terms of current tastes, Braised Pork in Casserole holds the most potential for continued popularity.
Liaohua is a renowned specialty pastry from Jin Tai Shop (a combination of storefront and workshop) in Anyang City, Henan Province. Since its creation during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, "Liaohua" has gained widespread fame and been in high demand. Later, it was mass-produced under the local brand "Jin Tai," becoming a popular gift for friends and family. In the 26th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty, when the emperor passed through Zhangde Prefecture (now Anyang City, Henan...
This year, many hotels have introduced a distinctive cold dish—smoked meat. But this is no ordinary smoked meat; it is the long-renowned and highly celebrated "Qin's Smoked Meat" from the Central Plains. Speaking of smoked meat, it has existed since ancient times. Looking back at ancient Chinese cuisine, even before the Tang Dynasty, "grilled dishes" made up a significant portion of the menu. But what’s worth mentioning...
A traditional and renowned delicacy of Anyang, with the best quality made by Jintai Sauce Workshop. The main ingredients of Liaohua include high-quality glutinous rice, soybeans, white sugar, maltose, and osmanthus. The finished product is elegantly shaped, golden in color, with a snow-white cross-section resembling a honeycomb. It is coated with crisp threads, looking much like blooming liaohua flowers—hence the name. It has a crispy, caramel-sweet taste upon biting, and is fragrant...
The Anyang “Three-Smoked” Delicacies include smoked chicken, smoked chicken eggs, and smoked pig’s head meat. The renowned chef Yan Haode was the main creator of this dish. It enjoys great fame not only in Anyang but also in major cities along the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, as well as in western Shandong, southern Hebei, and eastern Shanxi. The preparation of the Three-Smoked delicacies is meticulous, with strict selection of ingredients and careful processing. The finished products are persimmon-red in color, glossy and oily, rich yet...
Also known as Yao Family Dog Skin Plaster. Created in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, its founder was Yao Benren, originally from Nancheng County, Jianchang Prefecture, Jiangxi Province. From a young age, he devoted himself to the study of medicine and practiced medicine while traveling in his early years. Once, when he was in Anyang, he revived a young woman who had already been placed in a coffin for burial, earning him the reputation of "Yao the Immortal." In the seventh year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1…
Liaohua is a traditional pastry from Anyang City (formerly known as Zhangde Prefecture), long renowned for its excellence, with the version made by Jintai Shop being the finest. According to the Jiaqing-era Annals of Anyang County from the Qing Dynasty, the Liaohua from both Jintai and Gangta shops were widely famous. It has a history of over two hundred years. Liaohua is a type of southern-style cake. Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, a confectioner surnamed Wu from Zhejiang...
Anyang Blood Cake is a specialty of Anyang City, Henan Province. Rich in nutrition, crispy and fragrant, delicious in taste, affordable, and uniquely flavorful, it is highly popular among locals and tourists alike. Legend has it that Blood Cake was first created during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era. At that time, Anyang suffered from severe flooding, submerging crops. After the disaster, the local government distributed large quantities of buckwheat seeds to alleviate hunger…
Zhangde Aged Vinegar is a traditional specialty of Anyang City, Henan Province, with a history of over 300 years. It is named after Anyang’s ancient title, Zhangde...
Shuiye Crispy Sesame Flatbread is a traditional Han Chinese flour-based snack, popular in Shuiye Town, Anyang County, Henan Province. Made by hand with ingredients such as flour, crispy oil dough, maltose syrup, sesame seeds, salt, or sugar, and baked at high temperatures in earthen ovens, it features a crispy exterior and soft interior. The top layer of sesame seeds is especially fragrant and crunchy. It comes in both savory and sweet varieties…
Anyang Cao Ma Sesame Candy is a specialty of Cao Ma Village, Cuijiaqiao Township, Anyang County, Anyang City, Henan Province. The sesame candy from Cao Ma Village is renowned nationwide, with its unique craftsmanship having been passed down for over 500 years. This type of sesame candy has a delicate texture—crispy, thin, light, airy, and free of residue. It is pleasant to the taste, does not stick to the teeth, and leaves no residue on the hands. Both Dong Cao Ma Village and Xi Cao Ma Village in Cuijiaqiao Township, Anyang County, produce...
Hometown of Matoujian Specialty Products. Our company specializes in Matoujian specialty millet, with guaranteed quality. Welcome to inquire and discuss business. Wash-free millet — a local specialty of Matoujian. The millet from Anyang’s Matoujian boasts a long cultural and historical heritage. It comes from a breeding base of the Municipal Agricultural Science Institute, located in a hilly area with beautiful surroundings, fresh air, no pollution, and optimal conditions for growing grain. Premium grain varieties from Matoujian...
Blood Cake is made by steaming buckwheat noodles and pig’s blood with other ingredients into a cake, then slicing and deep-frying it before serving with a garlic sauce. Legend has it that Blood Cake was first created during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era. At that time, Anyang suffered severe flooding, submerging crops. After the disaster, the local government distributed large quantities of buckwheat seeds to alleviate famine. Once the buckwheat harvest was abundant, people began consuming buckwheat-based foods. In Huangfu Village, northwest of the county seat, a farmer surnamed Wang…
Anyang jade carving has a long history. As early as over 3,000 years ago during the Shang Dynasty, the then capital of Yin, Anyang, was already a center for jade ware production. Anyang jade carvings mainly feature human figures, flowers and birds, and animals, with exquisite craftsmanship, vivid shapes, and a lustrous sheen. Traditional products include masterpieces such as “Fairy Scattering Flowers,” “Eight Steeds,” and “Gods of the Five Sacred Mountains,” which are bestsellers…
Flat Noodle Dish is one of the signature snacks of Anyang, Henan. It is one of the most beloved meals among locals in Anyang. Every day, many office workers and regular customers flock to their favorite food stalls to enjoy a bowl, making the Flat Noodle Dish business exceptionally bustling in Anyang. This dish is both affordable and satisfying, commonly available at morning breakfast stalls...
Characterized by being crisp, thin, light, airy, and free of grit, making it pleasant to eat. Cao Ma Sesame Candy was first created during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years. There are three varieties: hard candy, crisp candy, and nut-filled candy. The nut-filled candy is the most famous. It is light in weight, has a thin skin, is white in color, and is hollow like a lotus root. It is filled with ingredients such as walnut kernels and peanut kernels, featuring a crispy texture, sweet and crisp taste upon eating…
Small stone-ground sesame oil is a major local specialty of Anyang, and among the various types of small stone-ground sesame oils, Matoujian Small Stone-Ground Sesame Oil is the most renowned. Made from upland sesame grown in the Matoujian area of Anyang, Henan, it boasts a rich aroma that is both fragrant to the nose and delicious to the taste. Why is it called "small stone-ground" sesame oil? The...