Millet, also known as foxtail millet, is the seed of the millet plant from the grass family. "Qingshui Yellow Millet" is also referred to as "Qingshui Yellow." Millet is widely grown in northern China, but the millet from the Qingshui Basin at the foot of Mount Li, where the Taihang, Taiyue, and Zhongtiao mountains meet, is of the highest quality. Legend has it that Chen Tingjing, the chief reviser of the Kangxi Dictionary and a high-ranking official of the Qing Dynasty, was the teacher of Emperor Kangxi...
Three types of lingzhi mushrooms—white, purple, and yellow—grow in the Taihang Mountains. Among them, the rarest is the white lingzhi, which resembles the human form, complete with facial features and even what looks like a cap tassel. It is extremely hard to find…
Black fungus typically grows on broadleaf miscellaneous trees such as oak, cork oak, Michelia obovata, and Quercus. Qingshui black fungus from Lishan is of particularly high quality and can be consumed or used in traditional herbal medicine. Qingshui black fungus is shaped like a "flying insect" and resembles a "swallow." Not only is its texture delicate, crisp, and smooth, but it is also highly nutritious, containing protein, fat, carbohydrates...
It is a common street snack. In a large pot, ingredients such as lamb liver, lungs, stomach, intestines, heart, and tendons are cooked until very tender, then mixed with scallions, ginger, cilantro, vermicelli, tofu, and more, and cooked together. Once ready, it is ladled into a bowl, topped with lamb broth, and seasoned with cilantro, vinegar, salt, chili, and other condiments before serving. The soup has an inviting aroma…
Jin Cheng Roasted Scallions is a specialty snack from Jincheng City in Shanxi Province. Made primarily with scallions and cooked using braising techniques, the dish is known for its distinctive scallion aroma. It has a place in the culinary history of the Jincheng area. Legend has it that when Empress Dowager Cixi fled westward and passed through Zezhou (now Jincheng), local officials prepared an elaborate banquet in her honor. However, just as the feast was about to begin, the chef realized in the chaos…
Sweet and Sour Meatballs are made primarily with meatballs, combined with sugar, vinegar, and delicate seasonings. The meatballs are small in size, featuring a crispy exterior and tender interior, served in a tangy and sweet sauce. …
Speaking of wood ear jelly, it’s actually a soup dish. Boil a pot of water, add all the prepared ingredients, and once the water boils, drizzle in some sesame oil and sprinkle some sesame seeds before serving. Using chopsticks, you can scoop out some translucent, jelly-like starch-based products that resemble liangfen (cold noodles). They are snow-white and clear, soft and tender on the palate, with a fragrant and light broth. …
Guoyourou is one of the traditional famous dishes of Shanxi, renowned nationwide to this day and hailed as the “Number One Flavor of Shanxi.” However, among the various versions of Guoyourou in Shanxi, Jin Cheng’s version stands out with its unique preparation method and distinctive flavor. The main ingredient of Jin Cheng Guoyourou is lean pork, preferably tenderloin or yuanbao (ingot-shaped) meat...
Clear Soup Hele Noodles are one of the most distinctive dishes from Jincheng, known for their simple yet unique preparation. First comes the “dough-making” process — place white flour in a mixing bowl, pour in water (note: use cold water in summer and warm water in winter), then knead by hand until the flour and water are fully blended. Seal the dough and let it rest. Meanwhile, it’s time to prepare the...
"Xicheng Mountain Millet," also referred to as "Old Valley Millet," was certified as a "Pollution-Free Food" in 2007 and its registered trademark was listed as a "Shanxi Provincial Famous Brand" in 2010. According to the *Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica*, "millet is sweet and slightly cold in nature; it nourishes kidney qi, dispels stomach cold, treats diabetes (wasting-thirst disorder), and promotes urination." It has very...
Recently, at the Third China Green Ecological Agriculture Development Forum, Yangcheng County was awarded the honor of “China’s Green Ecological Cornus officinalis Demonstration County.” Cornus officinalis is a precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It has high medicinal value, primarily functioning to nourish the liver and kidneys, tonify the spleen and qi, strengthen the body and enrich essence, and fortify bones and tendons. It also helps promote lightness in the body, resist aging, and prolong life. …
“Yangcheng Silkworm Cocoons,” a specialty of Yangcheng County in Shanxi Province, are a nationally recognized geographical indication product. Renowned for their long history, high yield, and superior quality, Yangcheng silkworm cocoons are known for their excellent color, high percentage of usable cocoons, high reelability, high silk extraction rate, low number of double cocoons, yellow-spotted cocoons, purple-stained cocoons, and dead cocoon shells. The plum blossom brand SE mulberry silk produced from “Yangcheng Silkworm Cocoons” is soft in texture, glossy, and pure white, and the products are exported to over 20 countries including Japan, the former Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and India. Yangcheng is one of the top three premium silkworm cocoon production bases in China.
The craft of glazed ware has a long history and traditional techniques in ancient Jincheng, but the most renowned is the Qiao Family Glazed Ware from Yangcheng County. The Qiao family, a well-known dynasty of glazed ware artisans in Yangcheng, specialized in the production of black and green porcelain as well as glazed products, earning widespread fame and becoming known as Qiao Family Glazed Ware. The Shousheng Temple in Yangcheng County (built during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era…
Yangcheng plowshares have two outstanding features: first, they are smooth and wear-resistant, turning the soil without sticking to mud, which saves both animal power and labor; second, they come in a wide variety of types, including peach leaf, apricot leaf, rabbit ear, eagle beak, donkey face, chicken coop, gauze hat, watermelon rind, and more—around 180 different varieties—meeting the diverse specifications and types required across different regions. Yangcheng…
Roasted pig liver is a local delicacy from Yangcheng. Made with fresh pig liver and seasonings, wrapped in flower pork fat, and then pan-fried, steamed, and deep-fried to achieve a golden, crispy, and tender texture. It’s unclear when this dish first appeared on the dining tables of Yangcheng, but one thing is certain—whether you’re a local or a visitor, trying it is a must when you’re in Yangcheng…
Fragrant fruit is a medicinal and aromatic tree species. It is a deciduous tree, about 20 meters tall. The leaves are brownish, and the branches are dense, tender, and flexible, capable of bending like a bow or coiling like a snake. It flowers in March, and the fragrant fruit ripens in September. The fruits are greenish-yellow in color, with small diameters of 3–5 cm and large ones of 8–10 cm. They have a slightly sour and astringent taste, fill the room with a pleasant fragrance, and can remain fresh for several months without spoiling…
Cordyceps, also known as Dong Chong Xia Cao, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. According to *Compendium of Materia Medica*, it has the function of dispelling wind and cold. In Jincheng, it is mainly produced in areas such as Aobei Mountain and Dale Ridge in Yangcheng. Cordyceps, also called insect fungus, is one of the renowned products of the snowy plateau in Lijiang. Cordyceps (Tibetan: Yajia Gengbu) is a precious...
Shan Yu, also known as Cornus officinalis or commonly called "Red Nai," is both an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is a deciduous tree with brown bark that peels off in flakes. The branches are square-shaped, and flowers grow in clusters at the tips of the twigs. The flowers bloom before the leaves appear; they are small, yellowish-green, and form a corymb inflorescence. They can be used for decoration or worn as ornaments. The drupe is oblong, smooth, and turns red when ripe, with a single seed inside...
Xiangguo is a medicinal and aromatic tree species. It is a deciduous tree, growing to about 20 meters in height. Its leaves are brownish, and its branches are dense, tender, and flexible—bendable like a bow or curling like a snake. The tree blooms in March, and the Xiangguo fruits ripen in September. The fruits are greenish-yellow, with small ones measuring 3–5 cm in diameter and larger ones up to 8–10 cm. They have a mildly sour and slightly astringent taste, emit a refreshing fragrance that fills the room, and can remain fresh for several months without spoiling…
Seven-pronged daylily is produced in Jiafeng Town, located in the Qin River Basin of Jincheng City. Its advantages are: first, its bright yellow color and neat, clean appearance; second, its long, thick, and plump flower buds; and third, its crisp, tender, and refreshing taste that stays firm even after prolonged cooking. Daylilies are commonly known as golden needles and come in varieties with either five or seven prongs. The seven-pronged golden needle from Panhe Village differs from the typical five-pronged variety, as it possesses…