Zizhong Purple Sweet Potato from Zhenba is a specialty of Zhenba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. In addition to the nutritional components found in regular sweet potatoes, the purple-fleshed variety is rich in selenium and anthocyanins, offering special health benefits and therapeutic properties. The purple sweet potato contains about 20% protein, including all 18 amino acids, which are easily digested and absorbed by the human body...
Zhenba Vegetable Tofu is a specialty snack from Zhenba County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province. This dish has a refreshing taste that is neither greasy nor oily. The tofu is soft and sweet, the soup porridge is tangy and fragrant, and the pickled vegetables are spicy—its indescribable deliciousness leaves a lasting impression. Zhenba Vegetable Tofu is one of the distinctive snacks in the area, and many rural girls are skilled at making it. In recent years…
Zhenshan bamboo fungus is an ideal natural health food that is both edible and medicinal, renowned for its superior flavor among all fungi. This fungus mostly parasitizes decaying bamboo roots in bamboo forests. The term "fungus" here refers to fragrant herbs, and it is ranked among China's "Eight Mountain Delicacies" alongside elephant trunk, camel hump, monkey head mushroom, bird’s nest, deer velvet, bear paw, and pangolin lip. Bamboo fungus also holds significant medicinal value...
Zhenba Tree Flower Vegetable is a local specialty of Zhenba County in Shaanxi Province. It comes from a shrub plant, where we harvest its fresh leaves and flowers and process them into this product. The people of Zhenba have a long-standing tradition of eating Tree Flower Vegetable. Though its appearance may not be appealing, it boasts a unique fragrance. When used to stew fresh pork knuckle, chicken, or to braise fish...
Shaanxi roujiamo gets its name from the classical Chinese phrase “肉夹于馍” (meat stuffed inside bread). The meat, known as la zhi rou (braised meat), is a type of pork that is simmered in a pot—but unlike typical braised meats, it becomes exceptionally tender and flavorful. Thanks to the careful selection of ingredients, comprehensive use of seasonings, precise cooking techniques, and the use of aged broth, the resulting la zhi rou has a distinctive character. People praise it for being...
Cured pork, also known as smoked meat, is a local specialty of the Qinba Mountain area in southern Shaanxi. Among these, the cured pork from Zhenba County is considered the finest. The reason why “Zhenba Cured Pork” has gained fame across southern Shaanxi lies in its unique curing process, carefully selected ingredients, preservation methods, and cooking techniques that have shaped today’s Zhenba Cured Pork. Zhenba Cured Pork is air-dried using natural wind…
In the kitchens of mountain farmhouses in Lueyang, there is almost always a jar of pickled vegetables. These vegetables have a rich sour flavor and are said to be related to the consumption of meat by the ancient Qiang herders in the region. So, how are these vegetables made? The method is very simple: finely chop fresh rapeseed greens, Chinese cabbage, or cabbage leaves, and Chinese radish leaves, wash them thoroughly, and blanch them twice in boiling water...
Polyporus is a commonly used medicinal fungus in China with over 2,000 years of medicinal history, enjoying a prestigious reputation both domestically and internationally. The use of Polyporus in China dates back to ancient times. It was referred to as "Shi Ling" in the book Zhuangzi and classified as a mid-grade herb in the Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica. The Commentary on the Materia Medica states: “Maple Tree Polyporus, its outer black skin is removed and the remaining chunk resembles pig dung, hence the name…”
Lueyang County is located at the western end of the Hanzhong Basin, bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the north and the Bashan Mountains to the south. It sits at a strategic transportation hub connecting Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu, and lies within the transitional zone between the northern subtropical and warm temperate climate belts. The area enjoys a mild climate, abundant rainfall, concurrent rain and heat seasons, and ample sunlight — all of which create favorable conditions for the growth of biological resources. Gastrodia elata requires specific geographical, climatic, and soil conditions...
Eucommia is a plant of the genus Eucommia in the family Eucommiaceae, and its dried bark is used as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. China’s first pharmacopoeia, the “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), records that Eucommia has the following properties: “It tastes pungent, is neutral and non-toxic. It treats lower back and spine pain, strengthens the middle energizer, benefits qi, fortifies sinews and bones, sharpens the mind, removes itching and dampness in the genitals, and alleviates residual dribbling after urination. Long-term use makes the body light…” [Figure 1: Dried Lueyang Eucommia product.]
Pure wild raw honey is a specialty of Lueyang in the Qinba Mountain area. It is made by local bees that gather nectar from wild alpine mountain flowers and ferment it thoroughly. The honey has a deep color, a unique flavor, and is richly sweet. It contains a variety of trace elements that can be directly absorbed by the human body. As recorded in *Compendium of Materia Medica*, it holds high health value for the human body and is the preferred honey for medicinal use. It can be hailed as...
Geographical Scope: The original habitat of the Lueyang Black Chicken is distributed in townships along the Heihe River basin at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains within Lueyang County, Shaanxi Province, including Heiheba, Yudongzi, Lianghekou, Guanyinsi, Xiantaiba, and Xiakouyi. Unique Qualities: The body shape of the Lueyang Black Chicken is nearly square, characterized by a black comb, black beak, black toes, black tongue, and black skin—the “six all-black” features…
Lueyang Heihe Pig, now known as Hanjiang Black Pig, is a transitional breed between the North China and Central China types. It is primarily raised in the Heihe River basin of Lueyang County, Shaanxi Province, with small distributions also found in neighboring counties such as Mian County and Ningqiang County. It is a unique biological resource of Lueyang County and holds significant potential for development and utilization. Currently, there are 50,000 Heihe Pigs raised in our county. The Heihe Pig…
Lotus seeds are rich in protein and carbohydrates, and have benefits such as strengthening the stomach, nourishing the heart and calming the nerves, tonifying the kidneys, and aiding in weight gain. Milk contains complete proteins that can enhance the body's disease resistance, and its lactose content helps in the formation and development of brain tissue.…
Lueyang Chicken Breed Description Origin and Distribution: A meat-type breed. Mainly produced in Lueyang and Mianxian counties in Shaanxi Province. It is also found in the mountainous and hilly areas of Ningqiang, Chenggu, Yangxian, and Xixiang counties south of the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province. This chicken breed is renowned for its large body size, abundant meat, high-quality meat, and black skin. Locals also commonly stew black-skinned chickens with…
Lueyang in the western part of southern Shaanxi is blessed with beautiful mountains and clear waters, and is home to many talented people. The local diet here is well-balanced and diverse, incorporating the culinary essence and traditional characteristics of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan provinces. But no matter what you've just tasted, the uniquely delicious Vegetable Tofu Noodles (also known as "Eight Dishes and One Soup," meaning eight small side dishes and one bowl of soup) will always leave you wanting more…
Grey Stirred Tuan is a common dish used to entertain guests in Lueyang and is a unique local specialty. Method: Sieve hardened cold firewood ash from the stove through a fine sieve, mix one bowl of fine ash with one bowl of shelled corn kernels, stir well, and soak in cold water for about 10 hours until the corn kernels turn slightly green. Rinse off the ash with clean water. Grind the corn kernels into a paste using a hand mill,...
Black fungus has been a delicious delicacy and health food in China for over 2,000 years. Since ancient times, it has been referred to as a "mountain delicacy" among the people, and internationally, it is regarded as an unpolluted "hygienic food," "healthy food," and the "pinnacle of plant-based foods." Foping black fungus is primarily cultivated on log segments, featuring a crisp, tender texture and delicious...
Shiitake mushrooms are a famous specialty in China with over 800 years of cultivation history. Known as “mountain delicacies,” “vegetable meat,” and the “queen of mushrooms,” they are ranked among the world’s most renowned edible fungi. Foping shiitake mushrooms are primarily cultivated using artificial bagged substrate methods. The resulting mushrooms are plump and full-bodied, with tender, crisp flesh and rich nutrition—delicious to eat…
Ginkgo is the most ancient surviving species of seed plants in the world, a unique tree species in China, and is hailed as a "living fossil." Its seeds, commonly known as ginkgo nuts, have a wide range of uses. The kernels are highly nutritious, serving as both a tonic food and a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine. They are also an exported specialty product of China with strong market demand and excellent...