Carp Hugging Eggs, originally named "Perch Hugging Eggs," was created by Chen Mou, a private chef of the Wang family in Xincheng. In 1684 (the 23rd year of the Kangxi reign in the Qing Dynasty), Wang Shizhen, serving as the Vice Director of the Directorate of Education and concurrently as a Preceptor at the Hanlin Academy in Beijing, recommended Chen to work in the imperial kitchen. After being passed down through two generations to Bao Shibin, the perch in the region...
Jingjia Four-Colored Chinese Chives are mainly grown near Dongsun Village in Jingjia Town, with a current planting area of 1,600 mu. Distinctive Qualities: The tips of the leaves are purple, transitioning downward into segments of green, yellow, and white—four colors in total—displaying vibrant and striking hues. Due to the complex production process, unique environmental conditions, slow plant growth, and high accumulation of dry matter…
Xincheng Fine-Haired Yam is a renowned local specialty of Xincheng Town, Huantai County, Shandong Province, with a long cultivation history that dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties when it was already highly esteemed. Thanks to its unique soil and water conditions, it has become a premium variety among yams and was even served as a tribute to the imperial court. Xincheng Fine-Haired Yam offers multiple health benefits such as strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, fortifying the kidneys, and enriching vital essence...
Yam is a specialty of Huantai County. Also known as shanyu, shuyao, yanzhang, or yuyan, among other names, yam has been consumed in China for over 3,000 years and is highly praised as an excellent tonic. Modern pharmacological analysis shows that yam is rich in starch, protein, choline, mucilage, and other components. The most notable characteristic of yam is…
Since ancient times, geese and ducks have flocked to Mata Lake. The Golden-thread Duck Eggs have long been renowned. The geese and ducks typically feed on clams from the lake, resulting in eggs of exceptional quality with unique color, aroma, and flavor. After curing and steaming, a ring of yolk oil can be seen where the egg white meets the yolk, resembling strands of golden thread intertwined. The taste is exquisite, with fragrant egg oil that is rich yet not greasy, and tender yolk that is sandy but not choking...
Huantai solid-stem celery, commonly known as "solid-stalk celery," is widely favored by consumers for its suitability in stir-frying, cold mixing, and use as a filling. This type of celery combines the characteristics of solid-stalk green celery and the advantages of iron-stalk celery, allowing for year-round cultivation and supply. It is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin B2, and volatile aromatic oils, which can…
Lotus Root with Sugar, referred to by locals in the lake area as "chui ou" (pounded lotus root). In early July, when lotus flowers first bloom, the rhizomes beneath the lotus produce a single section of young lotus root, shaped like a chicken egg. This is the best time to prepare lotus root with sugar. The harvested root is washed, wrapped in lotus leaves, then further bundled in a fresh cloth. Clenching it in a fist, the root is gently smashed, then mixed with an appropriate amount of white sugar and minced ginger. The dish is ready once evenly combined. Tasting...
Nutritional Value of Shepherd's Purse: Per 100 grams of fresh shepherd's purse stems and leaves, it contains 2.9 grams of protein, 0.4 grams of fat, 2.2 grams of crude fiber, 4.3 grams of carbohydrates, 1.77 milligrams of carotene, 0.06 milligrams of vitamin B1, 0.14 milligrams of vitamin B2, 0…
Qi Family Celery is a specialty of Huantai County, Zibo City, Shandong Province. It is a typical representative of "Huantai Celery" and one of the city’s renowned local vegetable specialties. Celery is widely grown in Huantai, but only the celery from Qi Family Village stands out with its dark green leaves and stems, rich aroma, solid and stringless texture, as well as tender, sweet, and crisp taste. In…
Matou Lake White Lotus Roots are a specialty of Huantai County, Zibo City, Shandong Province. These lotus roots are as white as jade, tender, sweet, and crisp. They are rich in starch, high in protein, and also contain various nutrients such as sugar, fat, and vitamins, making them a premium vegetable. White lotus roots are the crown jewel among the local specialties of Matou Lake, packed with abundant protein, fat, carbohydrates,…
【Huantai Celery】 A specialty of Huantai County. The main production areas are Jingjia and Tianzhuang towns. Celery cultivation was introduced in Huantai County as early as 1904. In 1957, the Chen Gongxiang Cooperative in Chenqiao Village conducted high-yield cultivation experiments on celery, achieving a yield of 11,440 kilograms per mu, with each celery stalk weighing around 500 grams. The cooperative...
HuanTai specialty – Golden Thread Duck Eggs: Since ancient times, flocks of geese and ducks have thrived on Matashu Lake. The Golden Thread Duck Eggs have long enjoyed a fine reputation. Fed on clams from the lake, the ducks produce eggs of exceptional quality, distinct in color, aroma, and flavor. Once cured and steamed, golden threads of yolk oil can be seen spiraling around the boundary between egg white and yolk, resembling intertwined strands of gold. The taste is exquisite, rich with savory yolk oil that is not greasy, and the texture is sandy yet not cloying — hence the name “Golden Thread Duck Eggs.” In the past, they were even tribute to the imperial court. Locally, these eggs are also known as “Twisted Thread Duck Eggs,” produced in the Luluzhuang area of Linzi. In ancient times, Linzi had abundant springs and crisscrossing waterways, and households near the water often raised ducks. Luluzhuang lies where the Anci River flows into the ? River (today’s Wu River), an area rich in snails, fish, and shrimp. Fed on such fare, the ducks laid eggs with “layers of yolk in purple-red hues.” When cut open, the yolk appeared as if wrapped in golden threads, delivering an extraordinary flavor. After being salt-cured for nearly a month, when boiled and sliced, the yolk oil would flow along the blade, offering an exceptionally fragrant taste upon eating. Golden Thread Duck Eggs were once little known outside the region. In 1957, during an inspection visit to Linzi, members of the Central Health Inspection Team were each served one to taste, and all spoke highly of it. Since then, the fame of Golden Thread Duck Eggs has gradually spread both within and beyond the province.
Jingjia solid-stem celery is a traditional specialty vegetable of Jingjia Town, cultivated through careful selection, purification, and rejuvenation. It features crisp tenderness, fragrant aroma, excellent palatability, rich nutrition, unique flavor, and high edible value. It also offers medicinal benefits such as clearing heat, promoting diuresis, lowering blood pressure, and reducing swelling. The cultivation of Jingjia solid-stem celery has a long history, dating back to...
Qiangshutang Liquor is a specialty of Huantai County, Zibo City, Shandong Province. It subtly blends the aromatic characteristics of sesame-flavor and strong-aroma Baijiu, offering a smooth taste with a long-lasting aftertaste. Qiangshutang Liquor has been awarded Geographical Indication Protection status. With a long history, it represents traditional brewing craftsmanship. The liquor is mainly distributed within Huantai County,…
Fried Lotus Flowers Fried Lotus Flowers are made by cleaning tender lotus flowers, coating them in batter, and then deep-frying them in oil. The ideal cooking level for this dish is crispiness. After frying, remove and drain the excess oil, then sprinkle with sugar before serving. They have a crispy texture and fragrant taste. There is also a dish called Fried Mint Leaves, which uses tender mint leaves as the main ingredient and follows the same cooking method as Fried Lotus Flowers, offering a fragrant and slightly spicy flavor. …
Breaking Eel involves placing a large live yellow eel on the ground to let it thrash about vigorously, which helps remove the mucus from its body. Then, an iron awl is used to pierce through the eel’s head and into the ground to secure it. A small knife is used to open the belly and remove the internal organs, after which the eel is cleaned and cut into segments. The eel segments are first fried in oil and then simmered slowly in broth. Just before the dish is done, cattail shoots are added. This dish boasts a rich aroma and delicious flavor. …
Discolored garlic sprouts feature a bright, vivid yellow color with upright, firm leaves that do not droop or curl. The leaf tips are yellow tinged with white, offering a tender and delicious taste. They are low in fiber, contain allicin, and are highly nutritious. Grown without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides, they are a popular vegetable known to stimulate appetite and promote health. Yiyuan Discolored Garlic Sprouts come from the Xiaoshui area of Yiyuan County…
Yiyuan peanuts have a long history. According to the *Annals of Yiyuan County*, they began to be planted in the late Qing Dynasty and have a history of over 100 years. Major production areas include Dazhangzhuang, Huangzhuang, and Zhangjiapo townships (towns), with cultivation also taking place in other sandy soil regions. Yiyuan peanuts are a major oil crop and cash crop in the area, and farmers have traditionally enjoyed growing them. In 1949, 32,000 mu were planted. By 1956, the planting area reached 77,000 mu. After 1958, influenced by the “grain-first” policy, the peanut area was reduced to 20,000 mu by 1961. It recovered to 32,000 mu in 1970. Starting in 1980, adjustments were made to the planting structure, leading to an expansion in the peanut area and a gradual increase in yield. In 1985, 53,900 mu were planted, and in 1990, 47,800 mu. Currently, over 50,000 mu are planted annually. Among the specialized cooperatives, four peanut products have been certified as organic food, and there are 6,000 mu of national-level organic peanut production bases.
Lücun celery features plump stems and leaves, a fresh green appearance, and a fragrant aroma. It is crisp and tender with no fibrous texture. In addition to being rich in vitamins, carotene, and essential trace elements such as calcium and iron, it also offers health benefits including cough relief, blood pressure reduction, stomach strengthening, qi enhancement, prevention of arteriosclerosis, detoxification, and skin beautification. In March this year, Lücun celery was just added to the national…
The lotus ponds in Xichangwang Village have a history of over a hundred years, covering an area of more than 200 acres. To the west of the ponds lies Jiuding Lotus Mountain, which stands at an elevation of 516 meters. At the foot of the mountain is a natural spring that gushes year-round without ever drying up. The water contains mineral salts, trace elements, and carbon dioxide, and is bright, clear, sterile, non-toxic, and free of sediment. It flows daily into the lotus ponds...