Yinan Miao Egg

Yinan Miao Egg

　　Yinan Miao Egg is one of the local specialties of Linyi. It gets its name from Miaojiachu Village in Xinqi Township, Yinan County, where it is produced. The duck eggs from this village have pale green, refreshing shells, tender white albumen, bright red yolks, and a sandy texture inside. When cut open, the eggs exude oil and taste fragrant and delicious. Moreover, they do not attract mosquitoes or flies in summer. Historically, there was a saying: “Tang Crab, Miao Egg, and Juzhou Garlic.” Legend has it that during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Wuzong once passed through this area while on a tour. After tasting the Miao Egg, he praised it highly. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong made three southern tours. On his first visit to Juxian County, he made a special trip to Miaojiachu Village just to eat Miao Eggs. He even issued an imperial edict stating: “Let Miaoqu thrive, but never let it decline,” requiring Miaojiachu Village to send 1,000 Miao Eggs to Beijing as tribute every year. Since then, Miao Eggs have become widely renowned. At the 11th Asian Games held in Beijing in 1990, Miao Eggs were served as a dish for athletes from various countries and loved by both Chinese and foreign visitors. Currently, there are 212 households in Miaojiachu Village, and every family raises ducks. They produce about 200,000 jin (100 metric tons) of eggs annually, which still cannot meet the demand. Purchase Information: The price is 6.50 yuan per 500 grams. The main purchasing location is in Yinan County. (Linyi)

　　Historically, there was a saying: “Tang Crab, Miao Egg, and Juzhou Garlic.” Legend has it that during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Wuzong once passed through this area while on a tour. After tasting the Miao Egg, he praised it highly. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong made three southern tours. On his first visit to Juxian County, he made a special trip to Miaojiachu Village just to eat Miao Eggs. He even issued an imperial edict stating: “Let Miaoqu thrive, but never let it decline,” requiring Miaojiachu Village to send 1,000 Miao Eggs to Beijing as tribute every year. Since then, Miao Eggs have become widely renowned.

　　At the 11th Asian Games held in Beijing in 1990, Miao Eggs were served as a dish for athletes from various countries and loved by both Chinese and foreign visitors.

　　Miaojiachu Village is located 1 kilometer north of the Xinqi Town government seat. In the past, five or six deep pools such as Laowan and Lalongtan on the Chaogou River (now called Miaojiachu River) surrounded the village on three sides, covering a vast water area with depths of over ten feet. The area was rich in fish, shrimp, clams, and snails. Ducks had abundant food, resulting in high egg production rates, large eggs, many double-yolk ones, and shells that were pale green and smooth. The yolks had layers and were rich in oil, offering a strong fragrance and staying fresh for a long time.

　　Miao Eggs preserved with the mud and water from Lalongtan mixed with salt are divided into aromatic eggs and salted eggs. Aromatic eggs have purple-yellow yolks that ooze buttery oil when eaten, offering a mellow and slightly salty flavor. Salted eggs have slightly black whites and gray yolks, and are saltier. When boiled and cut open, they do not attract flies, making them premium-quality eggs.

　　Due to road construction, farmland development, and other reasons, the water area around Miaojiachu Village has decreased, and the number of ducks raised and the production of Miao Eggs have slightly declined. However, Miao Eggs still enjoy great popularity among consumers for their unique flavor.

　　Currently, there are 212 households in Miaojiachu Village, and every family raises ducks. They produce about 200,000 jin (100 metric tons) of eggs annually, which still cannot meet the demand. There are now distribution points for Yinan Miao Eggs all over the country, so you can enjoy authentic Yinan Miao Eggs no matter where you are.