Spiced dried tofu is a traditional specialty of Guangling County in northern China, with over 100 years of production history. It enjoys a great reputation in areas such as Yanbei, Datong, and Hebei. This spiced dried tofu comes in strip form, with a color that is white tinged with yellow. It has a firm yet slightly chewy texture, offering a rich aroma that becomes more fragrant the more you chew. At the 1981 Shanxi Provincial Non-Staple Food Evaluation Conference, it won first place among export…
White hemp is a plant with high economic value. The white hemp from Guangling has a long cultivation history and is renowned nationwide. It is characterized by its bright luster, thin yet tough skin, fine and long fibers, and a soft, smooth texture. …
Guangling Black Buckwheat is hailed as the "King of Grains" by today's nutritionists. It is not only rich in rutin and selenium—elements found in extremely small amounts or absent in other cereal crops—but also contains 18 amino acids, 9 fatty acids, abundant dietary fiber, crude protein, and various other trace elements. Its nutritional content far surpasses...
Black fungus grows on decaying wood of various broad-leaved trees such as oak, poplar, banyan, and locust tree, either singly or in clusters. In fungal taxonomy, it belongs to the class Basidiomycetes, order Auriculariales, and family Auriculariaceae. Black fungus is a renowned mountain delicacy—edible, medicinal, and nourishing. It has long been a favorite on the dining tables of Chinese people and is hailed as the “meat among vegetables.” Globally, it is known as…
The Guangling Large Trumpet is a unique musical instrument from Guangling. Its bell resembles an inverted jar, and locals also call it the "Large Jar Trumpet." Traditional versions of the trumpet are made of copper, weighing around 4 kilograms. Normally, the tubing is nested inside the bell, but during performance, it is pulled out to the bell’s base, extending the overall length to about 60 centimeters. This large trumpet is a single-tone instrument capable of producing only one ascending…
The sunflower seeds produced in Guangling County are a well-known local specialty. They are large in size, with plump kernels and excellent quality. After being pickled, boiled, dried, and hulled, these seeds are crispy and aromatic, making them highly popular among consumers. …
Bailing mushrooms belong to the Fungi kingdom, Basidiomycota subkingdom, Agaricomycetes class, Agaricales order, Pleurotaceae family, and Pleurotus genus. They are named for their resemblance to lingzhi mushrooms. Also known as Bailin mushroom, winged abalone mushroom, lingzhi mushroom, and snow mountain lingzhi, they are commonly referred to by locals as the Kashmir divine mushroom or heavenly divine mushroom. As a saprophytic fungus — sometimes also exhibiting parasitic traits...
Oyster mushrooms belong to the kingdom Fungi, phylum Basidiomycota, class Agaricomycetes, order Agaricales, family Pleurotaceae, and genus Pleurotus. Currently, the main cultivated varieties of oyster mushrooms include Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus citrinopileatus, and Abalone Mushroom, among others. Oyster mushrooms go by many names, such as North Wind Mushroom, Green Mushroom, Frozen Fungus, Oyster Fungus, Heavenly Cap Mushroom, Yuan Mushroom, and Clam Mushroom. Oyster mushrooms are a type of low-temperature...
Shiitake mushrooms belong to the kingdom Fungi, phylum Basidiomycota, class Basidiomycetes, order Agaricales, family Pleurotaceae, and genus Lentinus. Also known as fragrant mushroom, aromatic mushroom, winter mushroom, or flower mushroom. Analysis of Guangling shiitake mushrooms shows that per 100 grams of dried shiitake, there are 13 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fat, 124 milligrams of calcium, 415 milligrams of phosphorus, 25.3 milligrams of iron, as well as abundant...
King Oyster Mushrooms, also known as Pleurotus eryngii or Snow Fungus, are named for their pleasant almond-like aroma and the texture reminiscent of abalone. Rich in nutrients, they contain all eight essential amino acids required by the human body, making them a high-protein, low-fat health food. The mycelium of King Oyster Mushrooms is white and dense, while the fruiting bodies grow singly or in clusters. The caps…
Also known as Pearl Mushroom, Slippery Mushroom, or Smooth-capped Pholiota, its scientific name is Pholiota nameko. Botanically, it belongs to the Fungi kingdom, Basidiomycota phylum, Agaricomycetes class, Agaricales order, Cortinariaceae family, and Pholiota genus. It is considered a rare variety, named for the layer of mucus on its surface that gives it a smooth and delicious texture when eaten. Slippery...
Button mushrooms belong to the order Agaricales, family Agaricaceae, and genus Agaricus. Commonly referred to as mushrooms, they are also known as white mushrooms or table mushrooms. As saprophytic fungi that thrive in medium to low temperatures, button mushrooms are well-suited to Guangling’s climate and hold great potential for development. Low in fat and high in protein, they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, boast a delicious taste, and are highly nutritious. They are...
Guangling Large-Tail Sheep Lamb is a specialty of Guangling County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. The Guangling Large-Tail Sheep has a long history. Legend has it that during the Han Dynasty, the breed was introduced from Mongolia. Over time, due to changing eras and economic trade interactions, Mongolian sheep, which were traditionally raised year-round through grazing on grasslands, were brought into farming areas. For a long period, influenced by the local natural conditions, ecological environment…
Guangling Daylily Daylily, commonly known as golden needle vegetable, is rich in carotene, phosphorus, calcium, and various trace elements. It is highly nutritious, flavorful, and offers medicinal benefits such as aiding digestion, promoting urination, calming the nerves, and stimulating saliva production. Ancient texts refer to it as deer onion or suitable for men. Guangling daylilies are bright yellow in color, with large, straight blossoms, high oil content…
Guangling Tofu Skin The tofu skin from Guangling County is made by grinding high-quality soybeans into a paste, then mixing it with a measured amount of water to create soybean milk. The milk is first boiled over high heat until it rises, then simmered over low heat until a skin-like layer forms on the surface. Finally, a stick is used in a crisscross motion to lift the skin, which is then hung in a ventilated area to dry. When eating, it is softened and seasoned...
Guangling Buckwheat Buckwheat is one of the rare crops in nature that serves both as food and medicine. According to *Compendium of Materia Medica*, buckwheat tastes bitter, has a neutral and cold nature, strengthens the stomach, boosts energy, revitalizes the spirit, benefits the ears and eyes, and purifies impurities from the internal organs. Other texts such as *Qian Jin Fang* (Thousand Ducat Formulas), *Chinese Herbal Medicine Dictionary*, and related literature also document its benefits: it can calm the nerves, invigorate blood circulation, …
The main ingredient of Guangling Five-Spice Dried Tofu—black beans—is grown in the county’s high-altitude mountainous region at 1,400 meters above sea level. Made using natural seasonings such as Sichuan peppercorns, fennel, and star anise, and crafted through a unique traditional process involving natural soybean whey fermentation and manual production without any chemical additives, it is the only one of its kind in China and qualifies as a natural green food. It boasts a richly fragrant, delicious taste and is highly nutritious…
The local snacks of Datong naturally include a variety of noodles, and pea noodles are one of them. The specific method involves mixing pea flour with wheat flour or oat flour, then rolling, pressing, or cutting the dough into shapes such as fish-shaped strips, pinched noodles, or pressed noodles. After boiling, they are served with a savory broth made from eggs, tofu skin, golden needles (daylily buds), wood ear mushrooms, or minced meat...
Among the specialties of the Datong region, there is a saying known as the “Three Yellows and Two Whites,” referring to: astragalus from Hunyuan, daylilies from Datong, “inside-out yellow” potatoes from Tianzhen, as well as white hemp from Guangling and cabbage from Yanggao. The cabbage from Luowenzao in Yanggao grows on the saline-alkali flats of this area. The local water and soil conditions give the cabbage its unique qualities, making it famous both at home and abroad...
Yanggao County’s specialty, Jing Apricot Preserves, is made from locally grown Jing apricots. The flesh is orange-yellow, thick, and loosely textured, juicy with a sweet-sour flavor and pleasant aroma, making it top-quality. It contains 1.22% monosaccharides, 5.84% disaccharides, 7.06% total sugars, 2.84% acid, and a sugar-to-acid ratio of 2.5:1. The fruit is relatively resistant to storage and transportation. …