Xishan Jujube is produced in Xishan Village, Tangxi Town, on the mountain range of Jiuhua Mountain. Its history dates back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, boasting over a thousand years of heritage. According to the *Guichi County Annals*, from the Tian Sheng era (1023–1032) of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty, Xishan Jujube has been listed as a tribute product. The jujube orchards are located at elevations above 600 meters on high mountains, where...
Solomon's seal is commonly found on Jiuhua Mountain. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Liliaceae family, also known as "chicken-head ginseng" or "tiger ginger." It often grows on shady, damp slopes or on both sides of valleys. Each stem bears multiple leaves that are short and bamboo-like, with greenish-white flowers appearing in umbrella-shaped clusters of three to five, hanging from drooping flower stalks. The rhizomes grow horizontally, thick and fleshy. The processing is meticulous, typically involving nine...
Qingshan Township: Lotus Seeds…
Yanghu Town: Spearmint…
The "Huizhou Dao Tea," named by Emperor Qianlong, is produced at Jitouling, the highest peak in Gegong Town, Dongzhi County. With an altitude of 1,187.2 meters, the peak belongs to the same mountain range as other famous tea-producing mountains such as Xianyu Mountain and Zishi Tower, retaining its pristine natural landscape. "Huizhou Dao Tea" grows in misty, secluded valleys and steep ridges, nurtured among a variety of blossoms, rich in pristine natural essence...
Kiwifruit, also known as "yang tao" or "sheep peach," gets its name from being a favorite fruit of monkeys. It is produced in areas such as Zhaotan, Guangang, Yaodu, and Gegong in Dongzhi County, with an annual output of about 450 tons. Dongzhi kiwifruit has a sweet yet slightly tangy flavor, and is fragrant and juicy. Besides being eaten fresh or used in cooking, it can also be made into canned syrup, juice, jam, beverages,…
Jianxin Township: Zhenzhu…
Guan Gang Shiitake Mushrooms are a specialty of Guan Gang Town, Dongzhi County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province. The Guan Gang Tea and Shiitake Mushroom Market is the largest specialized tea and mushroom market in southwestern Anhui. Guan Gang is the largest edible fungus production base in Dongzhi. It produces a wide variety of mushrooms including shiitake, bamboo fungus, monkey head mushroom, black fungus, auricularia polytricha, enoki mushrooms, button mushrooms, silver ear fungus, oyster mushrooms, and straw mushrooms. Among them, the shiitake…
Dongzhi rice dumplings are a specialty snack from Dongzhi County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province. These dumplings have a chewy texture, a savory and delicious flavor, reasonable prices, and generous portions. Originally called steamed rice cakes or indica rice cakes, this folk delicacy originated in an unknown village in Zhaotan Town, Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and has very strong regional characteristics. Apart from Dongzhi…
Wheatfish is a small, premium aquatic product, belonging to the same species as the world-renowned Lushan Stone Fish. It is named for its tiny size, resembling wheat grains, and its abundance during the wheat harvest season. There are two types of wheatfish in Dongzhi County: the Rhinogobius giurinus and the Rhinogobius cliffordpopei, with the former being the dominant species, accounting for over 85% of total production. Wheatfish prefer to live in rivers and lakes with gravelly or sandy bottoms...
Maidi is a small but prized aquatic product, belonging to the same species as the world-renowned Stone Fish of Mount Lu. It gets its name because of its tiny size, resembling a grain of wheat, and because it is abundant during the wheat harvest season. There are two types of Maidi in Dongzhi County: Rhinogobius giurinus and Rhinogobius cliffordpopei, with the former being the predominant type, accounting for over 85% of total production. Maidi thrives in rivers and lakes with gravelly and sandy bottoms...
Green shrimp belong to the Palaemonidae family, with the scientific name "Macrobrachium nipponense." Locals along Shengjin Lake refer to them as "green shrimp," while they are commonly called "shrimp" throughout the county. They measure 4–8 centimeters in length and are bluish-green in color. In summer, they prefer the upper water layers and lake shores, while in winter, they hibernate in muddy burrows. Juvenile shrimp feed on plankton, while adult shrimp consume aquatic plant stems and leaves, as well as a variety of fish and shellfish. They serve as prey for herons, cranes, …
Bracken fern, belonging to the genus Pteridium of the Dennstaedtiaceae family, is a perennial herb. The young shoots of the fern are edible and are referred to as “bracken fern” (蕨菜, juécài). These shoots typically emerge around the time of the Qingming Festival. They come in three colors: emerald green, purple-green, and purplish-red. While there is no significant difference in taste among them, the emerald green variety is especially prized for its delicate color. It can be stir-fried fresh as a side dish, or dried and pickled for later use. In the county, the emerald green shoots are processed and pickled into a bracken fern product that is aromatic, tender, and delicious, with an appealing bright green color—greatly favored by consumers. All areas within the county produce it except for the Dadukou and Shengli districts, with particularly abundant yields in the Yaodu and Xiangyu districts.
Shiitake mushrooms are a traditional local specialty of the county. Originally produced using the traditional "tree-cutting" method, they were foraged and consumed by farmers themselves. Later, mushroom growers from Zhejiang introduced artificial cultivation to the area. The main varieties include flower mushrooms, thick mushrooms, flat mushrooms, and root mushrooms. The county’s major shiitake production bases are located in areas such as Makeng, Li’an, Mutai, Zhaotan, Xiwan, Tielu, Gaoshan, Pingyuan, Hongfang, and Wang…
Vegetable Cake is a local specialty snack from Dongzhi County. First, glutinous rice is soaked in water until thoroughly softened, then mashed and processed into rice flour, which is dried and stored. When preparing the dish, the rice flour is placed in a wooden basin, mixed with an appropriate amount of water and a small quantity of fermented rice wine, then stirred into a paste-like consistency and left to ferment. Once the rice flour paste has fermented into a honeycomb-like texture, ingredients for either sweet or savory steamed cake flavors are added…
The reason why Gedge Tofu has won the favor of food lovers lies first and foremost in its excellent quality and unique flavor. "White, tender, fresh, and fragrant" are its main characteristics. Let’s start with "white." The color of Gedge Tofu is not a stark white or pale tone, but rather a pleasing creamy white that often reminds people of delightful tales like that of the "Tofu Beauty"...
Jinsi Amber Honey Dates are a renowned traditional product from Shitai County, Anhui Province, with a history of over 200 years. The main ingredient is fresh green jujubes, all carefully selected for their white color, freedom from insect damage, and absence of red tips. The production involves eight meticulous processes: selection, soaking and slicing, trimming, pot-boiling, raw baking, kneading, final baking, and sorting. Owing to their exquisite craftsmanship, superior quality, and...
Rose Crisp Pastry is a famous snack from Shitai County. It is made with premium flour, along with sugar, sesame seeds, rose petals, and other ingredients, giving it a rich rose fragrance and a sweet taste.…
Arrowroot dumplings are a local specialty snack from Shitai County. They have a sweet flavor and a chewy yet tender texture. These dumplings are made by mixing premium pork fat with white sugar, coating it in a layer of arrowroot powder, forming it into balls, and steaming them. The preparation of arrowroot dumplings is quite meticulous—first, the arrowroot powder is repeatedly stir-fried in a large iron wok until it dries out into fine, lump-free powder...
Lotus Cake is one of the famous snacks in Shitai County. It is sweet, fragrant, crisp, and tender on the palate. Made primarily from fine glutinous rice flour, its preparation involves a complex process: the rice cake is sliced, then deep-fried, and finally mixed with white sugar or honey to be eaten. It boasts a rich honey aroma. …