Ninghua Field Mouse Jerky

Ninghua Field Mouse Jerky

　　Ninghua "rat jerky" is actually made from field mice, processed from rodents manually captured in the wild. According to the Cihai (a Chinese encyclopedia), "Field mice belong to the mammalian order Rodentia and the family Cricetidae. Their fur is generally dark grayish-brown, sometimes sandy yellow. They live by digging in the soil and are harmful to crops." Ninghua is a mountainous agricultural county with vast fields, hence the abundance of field mice.

　　Every winter is the best time for Ninghua farmers to catch mice, especially after the Start of Winter solar term, which marks the peak season for rodent hunting.

　　The method of catching mice is simple, with most people using "bamboo tube mousetraps." In the evening, people carry the traps baited with rice or paddy and search for rodent paths along field ridges and hillsides. Whenever they find a major pathway or a mouse hole, they place a trap there and return early the next morning to collect it. The capture rate is generally around 3 out of 10, but on frosty days, it can exceed 5 out of 10. When the mouse-catching season arrives, youngsters also treat it as a form of fun, so the activity is especially popular among teenagers.

　　The processing of field mouse jerky begins with removing the fur. Captured mice are either steamed in hot water in a pot or roasted in burning firewood ashes. With proper control of the heat, the fur can be completely removed. Next, the belly is cut open to remove the internal organs, and the body is washed clean. Finally, the mice are smoked with rice husks or bran until they turn a soy-sauce brown color.

　　Field mouse jerky is not only delicious but also high in protein and rich in nutrients. It is particularly known for its kidney-nourishing properties and has significant therapeutic effects on frequent urination or bedwetting in children, giving it certain medicinal value.

　　Since the local population generally enjoys eating mouse jerky, there has long been a saying that "mouse jerky is as valuable as pork." When winter comes, eating mouse jerky is almost considered a delicacy. The most common cooking method is to stir-fry it with pork and winter bamboo shoots, seasoned with garlic, ginger, and rice wine. Especially among those who enjoy drinking, it is regarded as an excellent pairing with alcohol.