Meat Can Stew

Meat Can Stew

　　Yangcheng Meat Can Stew is a renowned delicacy across Shanxi. Not only is its production method unique and the flavor rich and aromatic, but the Yangcheng meat can is also a remarkable gem in the garden of China’s ceramic craftsmanship.

During the Song and Yuan dynasties, the Qiao family, a long-established ceramic artisans’ lineage, migrated from Longqiao in Xi’an, Shaanxi, to Qiaogou in Gaoping, Shanxi, where they developed the ceramics industry. After years of searching, the Qiao family discovered that Houziyao Village, located five li east of Yangcheng County, was rich in ceramic resources. They established a kiln there and began firing pottery, which quickly became a thriving business. By the early Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, descendants of the Qiao family had relocated to Houziyao Village in Yangcheng, where they built a pottery workshop. Soon, many new ceramic products were introduced, among which the most famous was the Yangcheng Meat Can. Despite the passage of time, it has remained enduringly popular.

The Yangcheng meat can resembles coarse pottery, with a fine glaze lining on the inside. It features a small mouth and neck, a large belly, and an owl-shaped lid that fits snugly and evenly with the opening of the can, making it stable and airtight when placed down. Its appearance is elegant, with bright colors and a solid, generous shape. The surface is smooth and delicate to the touch, and it is extremely convenient to use. It is well-suited for stewing, braising, or slow-cooking meat, combining the functions of tableware and a piece of art. It is deeply loved by locals. The meat can stew is made by simmering pork, beef, or lamb, millet, and various seasonings. The meat is tender, flavorful, and delicious.