Encheng Skewer Steamed Buns

More than a hundred years ago, there were over 20 shops in Encheng Town, Pingyuan County, specializing in skewer steamed buns, among which Chen Family Bakery enjoyed an outstanding reputation. The third-generation descendant of the Chen family, Chen Ronghe, made even better skewer steamed buns, renowned far and wide for their fine ingredients and pleasant taste, winning widespread acclaim. These buns are made from premium wheat ground into “78” flour…

　　Encheng Skewer Steamed Buns

　　More than a hundred years ago, there were over 20 shops in Encheng Town, Pingyuan County, specializing in skewer steamed buns, among which Chen Family Bakery enjoyed an outstanding reputation. The third-generation descendant of the Chen family, Chen Ronghe, made even better skewer steamed buns, renowned far and wide for their fine ingredients and pleasant taste, winning widespread acclaim.

　　The skewer steamed buns use top-grade wheat ground into “78” flour as the base ingredient. The “starter dough” (fermented dough) is mixed with an appropriate amount of alkaline powder (1 gram of alkaline powder for every 0.5 kilograms of starter dough), then combined with “young dough,” and kneaded evenly on the cutting board using

　　a specially made wooden pole to repeatedly press and shape the dough. It is then cut into sections, hand-rolled into form—thin at both ends and thick in the middle—and inserted into a steamer basket lined with bamboo skewers. After being steamed over high heat for 20 minutes, they are ready to be served. Their unique shape features a length of about 20 centimeters, a pointed tip, a round and thick middle (approximately 3.5 centimeters in diameter), and a slightly flatter, blunter base that resembles a spindle in shape.

　　They are white and smooth as jade, with a slight glossy sheen. Their flavor is sweet and fragrant, emitting an inviting aroma when sniffed; when eaten, they taste as sweet as maltose, tender yet chewy.

　　Skewer steamed buns excel in shape, color, and taste. They are rich in nutrients such as protein and sugar, making them highly nutritious and suitable for all ages.

　　Encheng Town is located at the intersection of the Pingyuan–Handan Highway and the Dezhou–Gaotang Highway. Merchants and travelers passing through the town flock to buy these buns out of admiration, taking pride in satisfying their palates and considering it a joy to give them as gifts to family and friends.