Ji County Buckwheat Geda

Ji County Buckwheat Geda

　　Ji County Buckwheat Geda

　　Buckwheat Geda is one of the traditional foods. There is a very famous folk song from northern Shaanxi that goes: “Buckwheat Geda in mutton broth, together inseparably, dead or alive.” The Buckwheat Geda may be well known, but the folk song is even more renowned. Its straightforward lyrics express a devotion no less profound than vows of everlasting love. Whenever buckwheat is mentioned, almost every person from northern Shaanxi can immediately recite this folk song.

　　“Kneaded deftly round and round, made with heartfelt care for you.” The buckwheat dough is shaped into a firm roll, then pinched off into small sections the size of a fingernail and placed on the palm. With a quick twist of the thumb, each piece is formed. Once made, they are tiny, with curled edges, concave centers, and smooth, rounded surfaces. When women make them, their fingers dance like heavenly maidens scattering flowers, and the arrayed pieces resemble “pearls, large and small, falling upon a jade plate.” Kneading is a special skill mastered by women in northern Shaanxi. Boiled quickly over high heat, they’re ready to eat in just minutes. Scooped into a soup bowl and topped with broth, they’re ready to serve. Buckwheat paired with mutton broth is a match made in heaven, offering an exceptionally delicious flavor that truly highlights its unique taste—hence the saying “Buckwheat in Mutton Broth,” a classic and authentic noodle dish. From the perspective of food properties, buckwheat is cooling in nature while mutton is warming. The combination of warm and cool elements benefits health, which is the nutritional reason why buckwheat is often paired with mutton. The uniqueness of buckwheat lies in its hollow center, which easily absorbs the savory broth, resulting in a chewy, smooth, and richly textured bite.