Copper Drum Seaweed

Copper Drum Seaweed

　　Copper Drum Seaweed

　　Among the people of Taishan, seaweed is often featured in festive dishes during holidays or celebrations. When cooked with lean meat and dried shrimp in a rich broth, it becomes especially delicious. Seaweed is one of Taishan’s famous local specialties. According to the "Annals of Xinning County" under the section on local produce: “Seaweed grows on rocks in the sea, originally dark green in color. Once harvested and dried, it turns purple. The best comes from Copper Drum.” Copper Drum Seaweed is not actually produced in Copper Drum Village, but is harvested by local residents from large nearby offshore rocks. The highest quality is said to come from the area known as Dapai. Copper Drum Seaweed is large and thick, with a deliciously fresh and crisp texture when chewed. The excellent quality of Copper Drum Seaweed is closely related to the surrounding natural environment. As a type of red algae, seaweed attaches itself to rocks and grows there. It has an unusual trait: the stronger the waves, the more abundantly and vigorously it grows. The waters near Copper Drum are particularly rough, creating ideal natural conditions for this premium seaweed. Other areas in our city that also produce seaweed include Shangchuan Island. Residents of Shangchuan refer to the eastern sea as the “Upper Sea,” where the waves are larger and the seaweed is abundant and of high quality. The seaweed growing on the rocky outcrops near Weijia and Niaozhu Islands is nearly as good as that from Copper Drum.