Dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was a customary practice among the people in the Datong area to give red-dyed eggs during joyous occasions such as weddings, birthday celebrations, and the birth of a child, symbolizing good fortune and happiness. This tradition was especially popular in the capital region at the time, with considerable demand. As a result, some people set up stalls and shops specializing in selling these red-dyed eggs, referring to them as...
Dayang Daylily: The daylily, scientifically known as Hemerocallis, is commonly called golden needle vegetable. It is a highly nutritious vegetable. Ji Kang’s “Treatise on Nourishing Life” from the “Shennong Classic” records that “the daylily relieves sorrow and brings joy when eaten,” and Li Shizhen also discusses it in detail in the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” stating that it has diuretic and stomach-strengthening properties. Dayang County is one of the main production areas of daylilies in Shanxi Province...
In Hunyuan, potato cultivation covers the entire county, but the actual sales of potatoes are mainly concentrated in the plains areas (Chuanxia), while in the vast and highly productive mountainous regions of Nanshan and Beipo, due to transportation and sales challenges, apart from a small portion consumed locally, most are ground into starch (potato flour). This is because Hunyuan is characterized by high mountains…
Hunyuan sand pottery has a long history of production, dating back over 1,300 years. According to the *Hunyuan County Annals*, the craft originated in the Tang Dynasty. From the Song Dynasty onward, the region saw a large number of skilled sand pottery artisans emerge. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the craft had gained considerable fame and was widely used among the people. In the 15th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1835)...
Alcohol is a beverage made by fermenting grains such as sorghum, barley, peas, rice, grapes, or other fruits. Depending on the brewing and blending processes, it is divided into three main categories: non-distilled alcohol, distilled alcohol, and compounded alcohol. Hunyuan Baijiu belongs to the distilled alcohol category. Distilled alcohol refers to fermented liquor that has been distilled in a still, then stored, diluted, …
“Hengzhuo” Sweet Almond Oil is made from raw materials sourced from green apricot orchards using a new low-temperature physical pressing technique. It has a delicate fragrance and remains transparent even at temperatures as low as -10°C. It is widely recognized as a healthy and nutritious oil. Sweet almond oil is smooth and non-greasy, does not stick to cookware, and is suitable for various cooking methods...
Traditional bonfires are built with raw coal lumps, which not only waste resources but also pollute the environment. The eco-friendly incense bonfire is made from traditional incense materials, with overall costs comparable to charcoal bonfires. Burning an incense bonfire is equivalent to offering incense as well, achieving two goals at once. It also conserves energy, reduces emissions, and saves time and effort. The eco-friendly incense bonfire strikes a balance between preserving traditional customs and embracing modern values, offering convenience for individual consumers while contributing to social energy conservation and emission reduction. It holds promising market potential and strong vitality.
Hunyuan Tudi Cai, also known as di’er or di mu’er, is a combination of fungus and algae. It grows in damp, shady areas after rain. It appears dark black, somewhat like soaked black wood ear fungus, but is different from wood ear. Rich in protein, various vitamins, and minerals such as phosphorus, zinc, and calcium, Hunyuan Tudi Cai is…
Juping, also known as sweet grass herb, is referred to as "baizangcao" (patrinia) in the *Compendium of Materia Medica*. Since it grows wild in mountain valleys and is free from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, bitter herb is naturally a pristine green food. In the vast rural areas of northern Shanxi, people hold bitter herb in high esteem. Not to mention the era when “men went out to work beyond the borders, while women picked bitter herb,” even today…
Millet is also called grain rice. There is no way to verify when “grain” (millet) began to be cultivated in the Datong area. A line from a Tang Dynasty poem reads, “Plant a grain of millet in spring, harvest ten thousand grains in autumn.” The “millet” mentioned here refers to millet. The riper the millet gets, the more its head bends toward the earth, unlike sorghum or corn which stand tall and proud. Millet rice has long been...
Jule Township in Datong County is located at the northeastern tip of Datong City, at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia. It boasts a unique geographical and climatic environment and enjoys convenient transportation. Historically known as the "Land of Flowers and Fruits," the Hami apricots produced here are renowned across northern China for their juicy, richly flavored, sweet taste, smooth mouthfeel, round and glossy appearance, appealing color, and high nutritional value. In recent years...
Datong Fried Cake Datong and the northern Shanxi region are rich in millet production and also yield a high amount of flaxseed oil. As a result, fried cake is a beloved traditional food among the locals in Datong and the surrounding areas. It is considered a premium dish for festivals, celebrations, and serving guests. The local version of fried cake features soft dough and fragrant oil, resulting in a crispy crust and tender, soft interior that’s delightfully smooth. And…
Datong Bean Noodles are made from flour that blends locally grown peas and other legumes. It has been found to be rich in protein, phosphorus, and various vitamins, and may offer certain health benefits for people with high blood pressure and diabetes. There are many ways to prepare it—usually, bean noodles are mixed with oat noodles to make hand-pulled noodles, fish-shaped noodles, pressed noodles, or...
Made with boiled and shredded sheep liver, lungs, stomach, intestines, heart, head meat, and tendons, the dish is served in a bowl topped with mutton broth, cilantro, a touch of vinegar, salt, and chili. The combination of soup and meat fills the air with an enticing aroma, offering a spicy and flavorful taste. …
The main production area of Datong Xiaoming Mung Beans is Datong County, where they have been cultivated for a long time over a large area, making them a traditional high-quality specialty and a leading export product of the county. The Xiaoming Mung Beans from this region feature plump grains, deep green color, high germination rate, and rich nutritional value. Tests show that they contain 25.6% protein and 0.7% fat, as well as various other components including V…
This is a common homemade food in the Datong area. The main ingredient is yellow millet flour. First, it is mixed with warm water into a crumbly (loose granular) texture, then steamed in a basket. After steaming, it is poured into a basin and kneaded by hand again, with a bit of sesame oil spread on the surface during kneading to prevent the cake from cracking. Finally, the kneaded dough is divided into small pieces and served by dipping in meat and vegetable sauces...
Cat’s Ear Noodles (Bo Yu Er): Also known as Liu Jian or Ti Jian, this is a noodle dish made by mixing wheat flour or mung bean flour into a dough, which is then scraped into boiling water using a special tool from a plate or bowl. It’s a traditional noodle specialty from Shanxi Province in China. Preparation method: First, take one egg white, add a little salt and an appropriate amount of water to make a soft dough (soft enough that it would slide off if tilted)...
Known for its unique craftsmanship and magnificent appearance, it has long been favored by overseas users. The saying "Admire the view on Mount Wutai, buy a copper hot pot in Datong City" has become a popular tale among travelers. A typical Datong copper hot pot weighs a total of 3 kilograms and can hold 2.5 kilograms of water. It consists of a base plate, fire stand, pot body, pot lid, chimney,…
The local snacks of Datong naturally include a variety of noodles, and pea noodles are one of them. The preparation involves mixing pea flour with either wheat flour or oat flour, then rolling, pressing, or cutting the dough into shapes such as "fish noodles," "pressed noodles," or "pressed dumplings." After boiling, these are served topped with a savory sauce made from eggs, tofu skin, daylily buds, and wood ear mushrooms, or with a minced meat sauce...
Among the knife-cut noodles found across Shanxi, none are more famous than those from Datong. Datong knife-cut noodles are delicious, affordable, and excel in color, aroma, and taste, forming a unique Datong style. Many visitors from other regions, after trying them, are full of praise and consider them the “king of all noodle dishes.” The noodles are entirely made by knife-cutting, because…