Jishou Beef Jerky

Jishou Beef Jerky

　　 Beef jerky is also a signature delicacy of Jishou, but unfortunately, it’s not very well-known. It enjoys a good reputation only in the various counties and cities under the jurisdiction of Changde, and is rarely seen on supermarket shelves in large and medium-sized cities like Changsha.

　　 The beef jerky from other places tends to come in flavors like Italian satay—sweet, like a lover’s kiss—or Sichuan-style numbing spice, making your mouth feel full of sesame oil aroma while a slight tingling sensation spreads across your tongue.

　　 Jishou beef jerky is different. At first bite, the flavor seems mild, but after a few seconds, this dried meat, made with traditional seasonings such as star anise, cinnamon, and Sichuan peppercorn using time-honored techniques, begins to reveal its bold character: fragrant, spicy, while still retaining the original taste of the beef. It’s chewy and full of texture.

　　 But not everyone likes this flavor. Some people are willing to risk getting pimples and sore throats just to indulge in it, showing a bit of the “dare-to-die blowfish-eating” spirit. Others, however, frown upon it, much like outsiders reacting to dried Hunan betel nuts for the first time.

　　 The best Jishou beef jerky is the “Old Man Zhang” brand, which has won a gold award at the Agricultural Expo.