Zhaotong Buckwheat Pancakes

Zhaotong Buckwheat Pancakes

　　Buckwheat is the most abundantly grown coarse grain in northeastern Yunnan. Among them, buckwheat from Dashanbao in Zhaotong is particularly famous. Naturally, buckwheat pancakes have become a traditional delicacy of Zhaotong. In people's minds, buckwheat has gradually come to be regarded as the “king of grains.” When exploring the magical lands of northeastern Yunnan, this is definitely a food experience not to be missed.

　　Locals evenly stir the buckwheat in a small basin, pour it into a pan to cook, then stir the buckwheat batter again, flip the cooked side of the pancake in the pan, and pour the freshly stirred batter onto the cooked side. This process is repeated three times. After adding all the batter, they cover the pan until the pancakes are fully cooked before removing them from the heat.

　　During the spring season when flowers bloom and Zhaotong produces abundant honey, after baking or frying the buckwheat pancakes, people often scoop honey from the honey barrel, wrap it in leaves about the size of a cow’s ear, and dip the pancakes in it. The flavor is truly unique.

　　Regarding the buckwheat pancakes, hailed as the “king of grains,” there is also a beautiful myth: Long ago, there was a severe drought with no rain for several months, leading to total crop failure and immense suffering among the people. As the autumn harvest season approached, the people were still praying for rain. The Dragon King couldn’t bear to watch any longer and went to speak on their behalf to the Jade Emperor. Upon hearing of the people’s plight, the Jade Emperor felt he had been derelict in his duties and quickly arranged for a heavy rain to fall. The Dragon King reported to the Jade Emperor that it was now too late—the weather was turning cooler, and there were no crops left that could bloom or seed. The Jade Emperor, being a deity with extraordinary wisdom, slowly opened his eyes and said, “Let it be so,” as he rubbed his neck a few times. “There are some seeds here. They will yield a harvest when the frost comes in late autumn.” He then scattered the clay from his hands onto the earth. The clay that landed on the shaded slopes later grew into buckwheat. Because it was made from the clay of the Jade Emperor’s neck, the seeds of buckwheat still shine with an oily luster to this day. Even now, during drought years when nothing else can be planted, buckwheat is the go-to crop—it’s the only one that still yields a harvest when frost comes. People love it for that.

　　Rich and delicious buckwheat boasts considerable nutritional value and can be easily found in the streets and alleys of Zhaotong. It’s affordable and, most importantly, absolutely delicious.

　　Moving or pausing, time flies by swiftly

　　Never forcing its way, yet always drawn to the delightful

　　It is the radiant sparkle in life

　　Capturing those refined and unique flavors

　　A look of delightful surprise after tasting

　　Geographic Scope

　　Zhaotong buckwheat is produced within the territory of Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, covering nine counties (districts): Zhaoyang District, Ludian County, Qiaojia County, Daguan County, Yongshan County, Yanjin County, Zhenxiong County, Yiliang County, and Weixin County. These include a total of 132 townships, with geographic coordinates between 102°52′ to 105°19′ east longitude and 26°32′ to 28°31′ north latitude. The planting area spans 241 kilometers from east to west and 234 kilometers from north to south, covering a cultivated area of 36,300 hectares, with an annual yield of 60,000 tons.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Quality Characteristics: Zhaotong buckwheat plants are compact, with plant heights ranging from 85 cm to 124 cm. Stems are green or red, and flowers are yellowish-green. The weight per plant is generally 3.5 g to 5.8 g, with 1,000-kernel weight ranging from 18 g to 26 g. The seeds are conical, ovate achenes, with three edges and three grooves on the fruit—rounded edges with wavy protrusions, five-lobed persistent calyx, and a relatively rough skin. The hull is thick, and the color of the seed coat varies by variety, appearing black, brown, gray, etc. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Zhaotong buckwheat has a bitter taste and cold nature, and is rich in nutrition, containing various amino acids, seven of which are essential for the human body. Starch content ≥60 (g/100g), total flavonoid content ≥1.7%, crude fiber ≥1.6%. 3. Quality and Safety Standards: The growing environment of Zhaotong buckwheat complies with the "NY5332-2006 Pollution-Free Agricultural Products Field Crop Growing Environment Conditions"; product production follows the "NY/T 5336-2006 Pollution-Free Agricultural Products Grain Production Management Specifications."