Eighteen Oddities Cured Meat

Eighteen Oddities Cured Meat

　　Eighteen Oddities Cured Meat is a specialty of Mayang County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province. The “Eighteen Oddities” cured meat is smoked using sawdust powder and locally sourced fuels such as tea husks, citrus peels, sugarcane bagasse, and pine and cypress branches. The cured meat has an orange-yellow hue, is easy to clean, and boasts a unique aroma.

　　The name of the Mayang Miao people’s “Eighteen Oddities” cured meat comes from one of the “Eighteen Oddities” of Mayang: pigs run faster than dogs. Pigs here are traditionally raised in the wild, allowed to roam the hillsides with cattle and sheep to forage for grass from a young age. Even when being fattened up, they are fed only locally grown corn, sweet potatoes, and other mixed grains—never processed feed. As a result, the pigs possess traits of both domestic and wild boars: their meat is firm, flavorful, tender, and eco-friendly.

　　Eighteen Oddities Cured Meat, also known as “Pig Eight Oddities” cured meat, is mainly produced in Guogongping Township. All ingredients come from free-range pigs raised by local farmers. These pigs are allowed to roam and forage from a young age, often running through the hills and ridges. They resemble wild boars, with stubby snouts, long hair, and a fierce nature. When sensing danger, they react quickly and can even outrun dogs—hence the saying, “Among the Mayang Eighteen Oddities, pigs run faster than dogs.”

　　The finished “Eighteen Oddities” cured meat is bright red, with clear marbling and a glossy finish. Whether stir-fried or steamed, it gives off a rich fragrance and offers excellent color and taste. It is considered the “trump card dish” when hosting guests and also makes a top-notch gift during festivals and holidays. The product packaging is convenient for carrying and comes in several options: 5 kg per bag, packed in 10 kg boxes; 2 kg per bag, packed in 8 kg boxes; 1 kg per bag, packed in 4 kg boxes.

　　Eighteen Oddities Cured Meat is a product that follows a “seasonal production, centralized sales” model. There are currently 15 processing plants located in villages around the town of Guogongping. “Eighteen Oddities Cured Meat” is a historic and highly promising local specialty product.