In the ninth lunar month, during golden autumn when fruits turn red, the brightest and ripest fruits in the misty mountains are none other than wild mountain persimmons. The persimmon trees in the forest are not as numerous as those in the lower hills, and when the fruits ripen, they are not as dazzling as those outside the mountains—because by then, the maple leaves in the forest have also turned red, and there are many more fruit-bearing trees, creating a colorful landscape. From afar, it’s hard to tell which are red leaves and which are persimmon trees. The persimmon trees outside the mountains are different. Though they too were once wild, they were not regarded by local villagers as timber or firewood trees. Instead, they were seen as fruit-bearing trees of economic value and thus preserved beyond the mountains. As a result, persimmon trees outside the mountains mostly grow alone along field ridges or stand tall and solitary amid low shrubs near farmland. They look both fortunate and pitiable. In the golden autumn, the persimmons on these trees are gradually dyed red by the warm sunlight, while most of their leaves have already fallen, leaving the trees almost bare. Were it not for the dense clusters of bright red persimmons hanging from their branches, the trees would look utterly desolate—like a scene from a tragic world. But now, they display maturity, signify harvest, and exude pride. Though their leaves are gone, their fruits are abundant. The lush foliage of spring was merely a prelude to this golden autumn moment. Villagers say that persimmons shaped like peaches, if left for a while, develop sweet juice inside, while those shaped like millstones—locally called “millstone persimmons”—are soft and sweet when eaten. It seems there are several varieties of persimmons in the misty mountains alone. The wild fruits of the misty mountains are truly rich and diverse.
Under the autumn sunlight, the leaves of the wild mountain pears in the misty mountains begin to fall one by one, the appearance of withered branches and dead leaves becomes increasingly intense, marking the approaching end of the year’s life journey. As the wild pear trees shed their former vibrancy, they silently proclaim the outcome of this year’s life cycle in another form of abundance — the wild mountain pears that hang from the branches, each one slightly smaller than a chicken egg...
The name "Cat Shit Melon" may not sound appealing, but it's an apt and vivid name given to this wild mountain fruit by the locals. Like the August Vine Fruit (八月瓜), it's similar in size, but when ripe, the skin turns a deep blue — resembling the color of cat feces. Though its appearance isn't attractive, the flesh inside is...
The "Xun Shitou Citrus" has a long cultivation history in Xunyang County. It is more cold-resistant than other varieties, and its bumpy exterior resembling a lion's head gives it its name. The trees are highly resistant, yield abundantly, produce large fruits, store well, and offer a balanced sweet-and-sour taste with excellent flavor. It has won gold awards multiple times at the Yangling Agricultural Expo and is a renowned, premium, and unique traditional fruit of our county...
Made from wheat flour dough, the dough is rested, divided into pieces, boiled, cooled, torn into strips, and then mixed with seasonings and chili oil for a spicy and flavorful taste. …
Shiquan silk is a specialty of Shiquan County in Ankang, Shaanxi Province. The administrative regions under the jurisdiction of Chengguan Town, Yunwushan Town, Zengxi Town, Zhongchi Town, Houliu Town, Xihé Town, Yǒudǒu Town, Lianghe Town, Raofeng Town, Chíhé Town, and Yingfēng Town in Shiquan County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province — "Letter from the People's Government of Shiquan County Regarding the Application to Define the National Geographical Indication Product Protection Scope of Shiquan Silk," Shiquan Government Document [2017] No. 54...
The Mingxing Village in Chihu Town, Shiquan County, Shaanxi Province, comprises 8 villager groups, with a population of 1,031 and arable land of 1,199 mu, averaging 1.2 mu per person. In recent years, driven by the example set by large-scale pig farmers, 258 households in the village have raised pigs, accounting for 88% of the total number of households. Among them, there are 3 farms raising over 10,000 pigs annually, 8 farms raising over 1,000 pigs...
Wangmang Fermented Black Beans are a specialty of Shiquan County in Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. These beans are made by carefully selecting locally grown whole soybeans, boiling them in spring water from the depths of the Qinling Mountains, and then drying them in the sun after adding various natural spices. They retain their original bean shape, are convenient to eat, and have a delicious taste — a pure, natural flavor that embodies rustic charm. The production process of Shiquan fermented black beans...
Spiced Swan Eggs is a specialty dish from Lianghe Town, Shiquan County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. A dish called “Spiced Swan Eggs” is very famous at banquets in Lianghe Town. The method is “take eight chicken eggs and four pigeon eggs, remove the shells, pour them into a bowl, mix evenly with salt and five-spice powder, take a pig’s bladder that has been blown up and air-dried until semi-dry, pour the mixed egg mixture into it, seal it well, place it in a steamer to steam until cooked, then carefully cut and remove the bladder. Place the steamed ‘big egg’ on a plate, cut it into small segments, and you will find that the egg white and yolk are separated, resembling a blooming lotus. The magical part is that after the chicken eggs and pigeon eggs are steamed together, once the pig’s bladder used to hold the shape is removed, the egg white of this large ‘swan egg’ remains separate from the yolk.
Shiquan Folk Liquor is a specialty of Shiquan County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. The liquor culture in Shiquan has a long history, with a longstanding tradition of households distilling grain and fruit wines. Made using traditional brewing methods, the grain liquor boasts a mellow taste, a lingering aftertaste, and a refreshing aroma, earning widespread acclaim across southern Shaanxi. Liquor plays an extremely important role in the daily lives of the people of Shiquan...
Guiguzi Cured Meat is produced in the Qinba Mountain area. It is made from free-range local pigs fed exclusively on corn, wild greens, and grass, using traditional folk craftsmanship. It is a pollution-free, hormone-free green food product. Guiguzi Cured Meat features a rich red hue, a uniquely delicious flavor, is rich but not greasy, remains satisfying even with frequent consumption, and boasts a strong aroma. It is rich in...
Shuhe Ancient Town, located 53 kilometers east of Xunyang County at the confluence of the Han River and the Shuhe River, boasts a long cultural history. It was once a bustling hub where merchants from all directions gathered, cultures blended, and the economy flourished—earning it the historical nickname "Little Hankou." The town features a mix of southern and northern cultures and diverse historic sites, and today it is hailed as "a small pearl on the banks of the Han River." The Eight Delicacies of Shuhe is a local...
The "Qingfengyuan" brand Selenium-rich Small Stone-Ground Sesame Oil is made from 100% pure, natural, pollution-free sesame grown in selenium-rich areas. It is stone-ground using traditional methods, extracted via the advanced water displacement technique, and refined through a 36-layer professional physical purification and filtration process to maximally preserve the high-quality lecithin, linoleic acid, and the unique aroma of the sesame...
The Qinba Mountainous Region in southern Shaanxi lies in the transitional zone between the northern subtropics and the warm temperate zone. This area boasts vast mountainous terrain, dense forests, a mild climate, and abundant rainfall. It is rich in ear forest resources (locally referred to as "ear slopes" by mountain folk), which provide ideal conditions for the growth of black fungus and shiitake mushrooms, making it a renowned “hometown of black fungus” both at home and abroad. As early as before the Qing Dynasty, “lacquer, hemp, fungus, and…”
The Soft-boiled Century Egg with Pine Flower Pattern is part of the green-shell fresh chicken egg product series. After years of careful research and development and a well-balanced recipe, we have created a century egg with a color as rich as agate and a uniquely delicious flavor. It can be eaten straight out of the shell or served chilled with seasonings. Century eggs, also known as preserved eggs, hundred-year eggs, or ash-packed eggs, have a smooth and refreshing taste, with distinctive qualities in color, aroma, and flavor...
Selenium-Rich Green-Shelled Black Chicken Eggs were approved as pollution-free products by the National Ministry of Agriculture in February 2009. In 2008, testing by China’s Yangling Food Testing Center found that these eggs contain lecithin, vitamins A, B2, E, as well as zinc, selenium, and iodine, all of which are 5–10 times higher than those in regular eggs. They also contain brain phospholipids, nerve phospholipids, vitamins, trace elements...
Sweet potatoes, also known as yams or taro, are rich in sugars, vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and more. The carotene, vitamin B1, and other various vitamins in sweet potatoes are essential for maintaining human health. When the starch in sweet potatoes is heated, it becomes gelatinous, which helps preserve vitamin C—a nutrient that is heat-sensitive and easily soluble in water...
Xunyang Pouch Apricot is a specialty of Xunyang County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. The pouch apricot is a unique seasonal fruit in Xunyang County, ripening from late May to early June each year. It is large in size, delicious in taste, and highly favored by the local population. This fruit is an ancient local variety from the Qinba Mountainous region of Xunyang County, with over 200 years of cultivation history, and is found only in a very limited area...
Jujube Twists from Xunyang are a specialty of Xunyang County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. With a long history of cultivation, mature farming techniques, and extensive planting areas, Xunyang produces large quantities of high-quality jujube twist raw materials. In recent years, it has become a highly sought-after agricultural product among out-of-town merchants, being exported to countries such as South Korea and Japan. The potential for research and development of jujube twists is enormous, and the market outlook is promising. The scientific name of jujube twists is…
Xunyang Chiyan Cattle is a specialty of Xunyang County, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province. The Chiyan cattle is one of the outstanding local cattle breeds in Shaanxi. It has a sturdy build, strong physique, well-proportioned conformation, and good muscle attachment, making it a dual-purpose breed for both draft and meat. The Chiyan cattle production area is located in five townships at the border of Shaanxi and Hubei, including Chiyan and Shimen. The region features crisscrossing rivers, a temperate…