Xinye Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat

Xinye Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat

　　In Xinye County, Nanyang City, there is a locally famous food that enjoys renown both at home and abroad — "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" (Xinye Spiced Meat). This small but celebrated local delicacy has a history of over 1,800 years. With its special preparation method and unique flavor, it has won the love of consumers throughout history.

　　Historical records

　　According to historical accounts, from 201 to 208 AD, Liu Bei was based in Xinye, where he plotted great endeavors together with Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. The army had to march and fight constantly, moving from place to place without a fixed base, while also preparing meals for tens of thousands of soldiers. The situation made movement and cooking difficult, leading to low morale. Zhuge Liang was deeply troubled. One day, while the army was resting and eating, a sudden gust of wind swept through, rustling the surrounding trees and sounding like the clamor of enemy horses and shouts. The soldiers, thinking they were under attack, quickly rose to defend themselves. After the false alarm, they caught a whiff of an incredibly wonderful fragrance and began searching for its source. It turned out that in their panic, the seasonings and oils used for cooking had been spilled into the pot where meat was being stewed. Zhuge Liang and the soldiers scooped up a spoonful to taste, and found it extraordinarily delicious. As they praised the taste, they noticed that the contents of the spoon had solidified into chunks upon cooling. Overjoyed, Zhuge Liang dedicated himself to researching and experimenting, eventually inventing spiced meat as an emergency ration for wartime, which was highly commended by the soldiers. It later spread to the civilian population. The people of Xinye have passed down the spiced meat invented by Lord Kongming from generation to generation, continuously refining the craft, ensuring the enduring popularity of the "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat." It has won gold awards at Henan Province’s Local Flavor Snacks Exhibitions and has been praised by people from all over the world.

　　Preparation Method

　　Xinye's "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" uses beef or mutton as its main ingredient. The preparation method is as follows: select tender beef or mutton with a balanced fat-to-lean ratio, and cut it into small cubes about the size of grapes; fry dried red chili peppers in oil until golden brown, allowing their color and flavor to infuse the oil, then remove, drain, and let them cool before crushing them with a knife for later use; place the prepared meat cubes into the oil and stir-fry repeatedly until the pieces hold their shape. Then add the crushed chilies along with refined salt, star anise, Sichuan peppercorn, galangal, cinnamon, cardamom, grass fruit, and other seasonings at the right time, and simmer over low heat to cook out the moisture in the meat. When the meat cubes are evenly colored and turn a date-red hue, remove from heat and let cool. The craftsmanship lies in the finesse, and the secret is in the heat control. The finished spiced meat is fragrant but not greasy, spicy but not harsh, salty but not astringent, with a color like agate, sparkling and pleasing to the eye, and a delicious taste. When eating, take an appropriate amount of spiced meat and stir-fry it with vegetables; it adds a meaty flavor to vegetarian dishes and tastes excellent. It also works wonderfully when poured over noodles. Another remarkable feature of Xinye's "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" is its long shelf life — it can be stored for over a year without refrigeration, remains unspoiled through summer, and retains its flavor unchanged. It comes in various packaging options including basin-sized, small bags, and gift packs, with different flavors available, making it a great choice for home dining and as a gift for family and friends. To develop this valuable tourism resource, Xinye County’s Catering Service Company established a "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" processing plant, among which the most renowned is the "Fulin Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" founded by Mr. Feng Fu.

　　Mr. Lin’s "Fulin Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" is the most famous. Fulin Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat is a specialty product proudly produced by "Fulin Tianxia Catering Co., Ltd." In addition to using traditional methods to stir-fry the spiced meat, it also employs advanced sterilization technology and vacuum-sealed packaging.

　　With the development of the Three Kingdoms tourism route, Xinye has become a must-visit attraction for travelers. Visitors from all over come to this birthplace where Zhuge Liang first emerged and where Emperor Liu laid the foundation for dividing the realm into three parts. In addition to sightseeing and exploring historic sites, they inevitably try the "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" invented by Zhuge Liang and buy several bags to give to relatives and friends. These registered, exquisitely packaged Xinye "Three Kingdoms Spiced Meat" products have become a delicious dish on the tables of many families around the world.