Dried Cucumber from Pingding

Dried Cucumber from Pingding

Dried Cucumber from Pingding is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Primarily produced in Hougou and Hetou, two villages in Pingding County. Production began during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398). It is favored for being crisp, refreshing, richly aromatic, flavorful, and convenient to eat. During the Qing Dynasty, it was designated as an item for imperial tribute and earned the reputation of "Dragon Tendon." The dried cucumbers are made from high-quality, spineless, seedless young cucumbers, rich in essential vitamins, potassium salts, amino acids, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that promote gastrointestinal motility and help lower cholesterol. In addition to meeting local demand, Pingding cucumbers are also sold to cities such as Beijing and Tianjin.

　　In the ancient prefecture of Pingding, the production history of "dried cucumber" is longest, the craftsmanship most exquisite, the quality highest, and the production and sales volume greatest in the two villages of Hougou and Hetou at the foot of Guanshan Mountain, west of Pingding Prefecture City. According to local legend in Hougou, the production techniques of Pingding dried cucumber were pioneered by the ancestors of the Liu and Li families from Hougou Village. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, the ancestors of the Liu and Li families migrated from Hongtong to Pingding Prefecture and chose Hougou Village as their permanent settlement, as the land was surrounded by mountains on three sides, densely forested, with perennial flowing river water and a pleasant regional climate—ideal for cultivation and habitation. They diligently farmed this land for decades, and aside from reclaiming hillside plots for growing grain crops, they also utilized abundant water resources to dig wells and develop vegetable gardens, cultivating cucumbers and other vegetables. At the time, there were no fresh vegetables to eat in winter, so they preserved summer and autumn field vegetables through drying for winter consumption. After many trials, they eventually succeeded in producing dried cucumbers using coal fire roasting—the “Dragon Tendon” brand dried cucumber.

　　There is also a touching legend about the origin of the “Dragon Tendon” brand dried cucumber. In 1703 (the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign), Emperor Kangxi made a western tour and stayed at Baijing Post Station for rest. After tasting this product, he praised it immensely, and from then on, dried cucumber became an item for imperial tribute. By the Qianlong era, someone specially presented this product to the emperor, who personally inscribed the imperial decree “Dragon Tendon” on a dragon ticket to signify the uniqueness of the “Dragon Tendon” brand dried cucumber. It also mentioned that the exclusive cultivation area was limited to Hougou and Hetou villages in Pingding Prefecture. From then on, the “Dragon Tendon” brand dried cucumber truly became a renowned product of ancient Pingding Prefecture and was included among the “Four Dried Delicacies” of elegant banquet cuisine.

　　Pingding’s dried cucumbers, along with its ceramic and ironware products, enjoy fame both at home and abroad. In ancient times, there was a saying: “Dried cucumbers as tribute, Dragon-patterned sand pots delighting the emperor’s heart.”