Chenggu Tea Snacks

Chenggu Tea Snacks

　　Since ancient times, the rural areas of Chenggu County have had the custom of growing and drinking tea, as well as the tradition of serving tea first when receiving guests. There is also a tradition of using tea-based snacks for nourishment, health care, and entertaining relatives and friends. These aromatic tea snacks, beloved in the countryside, mainly include the following:

　　“Dingguan Tea.” Popular in the mountainous southern region of the county, particularly around Erlizhen Town. Water is boiled in a dingguan (a type of pot), then an appropriate amount of tea leaves is added and simmered over low heat. The resulting strong, rich tea is often consumed by night watchmen in the forests to help stay alert and guard against wild boars and monkeys damaging the crops.

　　“Tongtong Tea.” Popular in the Xiahe and Shuangxi areas. A small iron tube is heated over a fire until red-hot, then vegetable oil or lard is poured in. When the oil is boiling, an appropriate amount of tea leaves is added and constantly stirred with chopsticks until fragrant. Then water is poured in, along with some sugar or salt, making a drink that’s sweet or savory. It quenches thirst, cools the body, stimulates saliva production, nourishes the stomach, refreshes the mind, and cuts through greasiness.

　　“Steamed Oil Tea.” Popular in Tianming and Xiahe towns. Pork fat, longan, red dates, goji berries, walnut kernels, and rock sugar are placed in a basin, steamed in a pot until the fat and sugar melt, then mixed with brewed tea and simmered near a wood fire until ready to serve. This sweet and mellow tea is believed to nourish the lungs, benefit the spleen, strengthen yang energy.

　　“Fried Rice Tea.” Popular in Wen Chuan, Shangyuanguan, and Yuangong towns. Raw rice and freshly harvested green tea are stir-fried together in a pan until light yellow, then water is added and brought to a boil. Oil, salt, ginger, scallions, and fermented vegetable broth are added to taste. It can help drive out colds and treat the common cold.