Shayang Rice Tea

Shayang Rice Tea

　　   Shayang Rice Tea, also known as Qū Mǐ Chá (Scorched Rice Tea), or simply Rice Tea, Acidic Rice Tea, or Fried Rice Tea, gets its name from the idea that “it fills your stomach when eaten and quenches your thirst when drunk.” It’s called Qū Mǐ Chá because this snack contains small amounts of rice grains, resembling tea, and tastes even better after fermentation, hence the name “Qū Mǐ Chá.” Its preparation method is as follows: first, rice or wheat rice is stir-fried in a pan until fully cooked, then scooped out. Once the water in the pan comes to a boil, a small amount of the fried rice is added and boiled together. It is then left to cool before serving. The Qū Mǐ Chá has a light yellow color, a rich aroma, a slightly sweet taste, and a mildly astringent yet not bitter flavor. It helps relieve hunger and thirst, aids in weight loss and fitness, and is an excellent summer drink for beating the heat. The hotter the weather, the more refreshing it tastes. Its main ingredient is “brown rice.” The preparation method is: place the rice in a pan, stir-fry over medium heat until it turns yellow and slightly scorched, then remove from the pan. Rinse it with clean water and drain off the moisture, then put it back in the pan, add water, and bring to a rapid boil until the rice blooms. Remove from heat and let it cool to finish. In rural areas, people usually fry the rice the night before, store it in a clay pot, and eat it the next day. Overnight rice tea has a slightly sour-sweet taste, which can further stimulate the appetite, promote saliva production, and quench thirst, offering a unique flavor. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Youyuan (the birth father of Emperor Jiajing) was granted the title of Prince Xing. His consort (Emperor Jiajing’s mother), Lady Jiang, lost her appetite for both tea and rice when she was pregnant. After drinking this rice tea, her appetite greatly improved. The prince was delighted, and from then on, rice tea entered the royal court from folk tradition. Later, Lady Jiang followed Emperor Jiajing into the Forbidden City, and every summer, she would drink rice tea without fail.