Tianzhu Mountain Five-Spice Dried Tofu

Tianzhu Mountain Five-Spice Dried Tofu

　　Tianzhu Five-Spice Dried Tofu boasts a unique flavor that is tender, aromatic, and delicious, making it a beloved snack among travelers visiting Tianzhu Mountain. The origin of the Five-Spice Dried Tofu is said, according to folklore, to be related to Wang Anshi.

　　 When Wang Anshi was leaving his post as Prefect of Shuzhou, he hosted a banquet to entertain his literary friends and poets. Unexpectedly, the first dish the chef served was two plates of tofu. Wang Anshi asked, “Both are made of tofu—why serve them in two separate plates?” The chef replied, “One is cooked with tea leaves, and the other with fennel.” Everyone who tasted them found the flavors quite good. Then, for the second course, another plate of soy-sauce-braised tofu was served, which everyone agreed had an even better color and taste. For the third course, two plates of tofu cooked with star anise and pepper were presented. The guests found this tofu even more delicious and wonderfully fragrant. At this point, Wang Anshi told the chef that all five flavored tofus were excellent and well-liked by the guests, and instructed him to combine all five seasonings to cook the tofu together. The result was a uniquely aromatic tofu that won applause from everyone at the table.

　　 This soybean product, featuring five-spice-seasoned tofu, became known as “Five-Spice Dried Tofu.” The processing and production techniques of Five-Spice Dried Tofu have been passed down through generations in Qianshan, becoming a renowned local specialty. In September 1988, Tianzhu Five-Spice Dried Tofu was rated as a high-quality product of Anhui Province, recommended to participate in China’s First Food Expo, where it won a silver award, and was also listed in the Hong Kong-published book World Famous & Premium Foods · Chinese Cuisine.