Ten Thousand Scrolls Crispy Pastry

Ten Thousand Scrolls Crispy Pastry

　　Visitors to Mount Wutai all make it a point to try the local pastry known as Wutai Ten Thousand Scrolls Crispy Pastry.

　　 This pastry has a long history and enjoys great fame. Legend has it that during his pilgrimage to Mount Wutai in the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong once tasted this pastry offered by the monks at the temple. He praised it highly, and soon the fame of the Ten Thousand Scrolls Crispy Pastry spread far and wide.

　　　　　　The reason the Ten Thousand Scrolls Crispy Pastry tastes so good lies in its ingredients and preparation method. The main ingredients include premium flour, pure flaxseed oil, along with alkaline water and fermented dough. Generally, for every 500 grams of flour, about 150 grams of oil is used. During preparation, the dough is repeatedly rolled and flattened into thin sheets, then rolled up, with a layer of oil added each time it's rolled. It is then baked in an oven. Once baked, it takes the shape of a wooden stick—about 20 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 1.2 cm thick—with a pale yellow exterior and layers as thin as paper. The more layers it has, the higher the quality. When eaten, it is crispy, tender, richly fragrant, and melts in your mouth.

　　　　The pastry contains a high amount of oil and little water, which makes it easy to store and resistant to spoilage. It is considered a top-quality food for entertaining guests or bringing as a gift when visiting relatives. Since the Republican era, “Tianyuan Chang,” run by the master Bai Jibao, has been known for making the finest version in Taiyuan City. There is also Zhang Kaiyuan, a former apprentice of Master Bai, who is now in his seventies and has over fifty years of experience making the pastry. With his skilled techniques and rich experience, he has earned a solid reputation in Wutai. The Ten Thousand Scrolls Crispy Pastry he bakes is exceptionally delicious. Today, this pastry is made both by state-owned businesses and individual vendors in Wutai, ensuring ample supply.