Longlin Black Zongzi

Longlin Black Zongzi

　　"Longlin Black Zongzi" is a unique regional specialty of Longlin County in Guangxi. For thousands of years, it has been widely renowned both within and beyond the region for its fragrant taste, tender texture, rich nutritional value, and medicinal properties. Legend has it that during the ancient Yelang Kingdom, the king suffered from "loss of appetite," leaving him dizzy, weak, and fatigued. A divine doctor came to treat the king, mixing locally abundant herbs such as Amomum tsao-ko, chestnuts, mung beans, pepper, black glutinous rice, sesame stalk ash, and pork. He then wrapped these ingredients in zongzi leaves known for their "circulation-invigorating" properties, boiled them, and presented the zongzi to the king. After eating them, the king’s appetite returned, and soon after, his muscles and bones grew strong, and all his ailments disappeared. Thus, this medicinal black zongzi was passed down through generations, becoming a traditional festive food made by every household.

　　 Today, "Longlin Black Zongzi" has gained fame both within and beyond the region. In 2000, it won the gold award for "Guangxi Famous Snack" at the Guangxi International Folk Song Tourism Food Festival. During the annual Baise Food Culture Festival, Longlin’s "black zongzi" becomes a highly sought-after item, beloved by food lovers from both within and outside the region. In 2006, the "Longlin Black Zongzi" from Longlin Ethnic Hotel was designated as the official snack for guests at the third China–ASEAN Expo.

　　Black zongzi, also known as black zongzi dumplings, is a festive delicacy among the various ethnic groups in Longlin throughout the ages and is also considered a contemporary green food. Every Spring Festival, starting from the 28th or 29th of the twelfth lunar month, every household busily makes zongzi, with black zongzi being the most popular. Some families make dozens of pounds, others around 20 to 30 pounds—enough to meet both festival consumption and gifting needs.

　　The making of Longlin Black Zongzi has a history of over a thousand years. For centuries, this treasured delicacy has been famous at home and abroad for its fragrant taste, tender texture, rich nutritional value, and medicinal properties.

　　The legend behind the origin of Longlin Black Zongzi tells of the king of the ancient Yelang Kingdom who suffered from "loss of appetite," leaving him dizzy, weak, sallow-faced, and listless. One day, a divine doctor came to treat him, mixing together herbs abundant in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau such as Amomum tsao-ko, chestnuts, mung beans, pepper, black glutinous rice, sesame stalk charcoal, and pork. He wrapped these ingredients in leaves known for "invigorating circulation"—zongzi leaves—and boiled them before presenting the zongzi to the king. Upon unwrapping the zongzi, the Yelang king was immediately greeted by an enticing aroma. After eating them, his appetite returned, and soon after, his muscles and bones grew strong, and all his illnesses vanished. Thus, this medicinal black zongzi was passed down through generations, winning widespread admiration. In November 2000, it was awarded the gold prize at the Guangxi International Folk Song Tourism Food Festival.