Divine Tofu of Daichengou

Divine Tofu of Daichengou

　　Divine Tofu of Daichengou is a specialty of Daichengou Village, Yezhou Town, Jianshi County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province. Villagers in Daichengou often pick the leaves of the dove oak tree to make “divine tofu,” which has become a beloved delicacy due to its fragrant, delicate texture, pollution-free production, and delicious taste.

　　In Daichengou Village, Yezhou Town, Jianshi County, there is a shrub called the divine tofu tree (commonly known as dove oak). This plant grows wild along ditches, roadsides, and field edges. Its leaves, after being picked, washed, scalded, kneaded, filtered, and mixed with a special paste, magically transform into a fragrant, tender, emerald-green “tofu” after a short rest.

　　Nowadays, “divine tofu” has become a local specialty snack that many farming families know how to make. This food contains various essential amino acids needed by the human body and is a rare raw material for health foods. It offers benefits such as clearing heat and toxins, stimulating appetite and saliva production, improving eyesight and reducing internal heat, as well as strengthening muscles and bones.

　　Elderly people in Daichengou make and eat “divine tofu” to remember times of famine and to remind themselves to have a compassionate, bodhisattva-like heart. Of course, the jade-like color and enticing fragrance of the “divine tofu,” enhanced with a bit of red chili and pickled garlic water, are simply irresistible to anyone.