Sweet Sha County Shaomai

Sweet Sha County Shaomai

　　Sha County cuisine features shaomai with thin, small wrappers. A portion of cassava flour is mixed into the wheat flour, resulting in translucent and delicate dumplings that are incredibly appetizing at first glance. They are typically served with a natural condiment—fermented black bean soy sauce—allowing diners to adjust the saltiness, sourness, or spiciness to their preference. High-quality shaomai place great emphasis on the filling, which includes indispensable ingredients such as shrimp, lean meat, winter bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and cellophane noodles. In the past, the renowned "Shaomai Jin" of Sha County only sold their shaomai to wealthy households between the West Gate and South Gate, leading to an old local saying used to mock someone of low status: "You’re not the kind of person who eats shaomai." On September 5, 2000, at the "Second National Famous Snacks Recognition Conference" held by the China Cuisine Association in Yinchuan, Ningxia, the "Sha County Shaomai" made by the Sha County Snack Industry Development Service Center was officially recognized as a "Chinese Famous Snack."

　　Shaomai can be considered one of the standout dim sum specialties of Sha County cuisine. Its name comes from its resemblance to a large grain of barley and the fact that freshly steamed shaomai is hot enough to warm both the mouth and the heart. Shaomai comes in two varieties: savory and sweet. Savory shaomai features snow-white, translucent wrappers wrapped around premium cellophane noodles and lean meat fillings. It has a refreshing, smooth texture that’s not greasy, aids digestion, and is easy on the stomach. Meanwhile, the sweet shaomai from Xiamao in Sha County boasts a uniquely delightful flavor and is considered more upscale. The making of sweet shaomai is naturally more complex than that of the savory version. The outer wrapper of Sha County sweet shaomai is the same as the savory type, but the filling is sweet. In addition to white sugar, it includes diced pastry, seaweed, candied orange peel, and ground peanuts. For the best flavor, the pastry cubes should come from the locally made "Sanyuan Pastry."