Nine-layer rice cake

Nine-layer rice cake

　　Nine-layer rice cake is a local snack made by layering nine differently colored layers of rice paste. It is prepared using regular rice and glutinous rice, ground into a paste, which is then divided into nine equal portions. Each portion is mixed with an appropriate amount of white sugar and food coloring (the first layer is red, the second light yellow, the third the natural white color of rice, and so on, repeating the sequence until all nine layers are complete). The cake has nine layers, hence its name, “nine-layer rice cake.” It is made by placing a piece of gauze at the bottom of a steamer basket, adding the first layer of mixture, and waiting until it is half-cooked before adding the second layer. This process continues until all nine layers have been added. Once fully steamed, it is cooled, then cut into diamond shapes. Not only does it have a unique and elegant appearance, but it also boasts a smooth, tender texture that is crisp and lightly sweet — making it especially suitable for children and the elderly. It is a unique specialty snack from the Putian region.