Mouse Chrysanthemum

Mouse Chrysanthemum

　　Around the Qingming Festival, people often gather mouse chrysanthemum grass (a type of chrysanthemum) from the fields. They remove the roots and thick stems, keeping the tender stems, leaves, and yellow flowers. After washing, they briefly boil them in hot water, then mix them with glutinous rice that has been steamed and pounded into a paste. The mixture is then pounded again and pressed into molds to form patterned circular or square shapes. Once cooled and slightly dried, the dough is ready to be processed and eaten. Mouse chrysanthemum is slightly grass-green in color with a fragrant chrysanthemum aroma, delicious and pleasant to the taste. It is a cooling and detoxifying food, traditionally handmade by locals in spring and early summer. Since fresh mouse chrysanthemum grass is seasonal, locals call it “the precious seasonal ingredient.” (Nanping)