Yan'an Buckwheat

Yan'an Buckwheat

　　Yan'an buckwheat is one of the traditional export products of Yan'an, mainly grown in the northern counties of the region. It is also known as one of the "Three Treasures of Northern Shaanxi," along with lamb and thyme. The city has approximately one million hectares under buckwheat cultivation, yielding hundreds of thousands of tons annually. Yan'an buckwheat boasts a long growth period and abundant light and heat conditions. Its grains are large with thin skins, producing white flour rich in starch, strong gluten, and fine quality. The resulting noodles are white, slender, smooth, and refreshing. Buckwheat contains higher levels of protein, fat, and vitamins compared to rice and wheat. Not only is it delicious, but it also helps prevent arteriosclerosis, manage diabetes, aid digestion, and has anti-cancer properties. As a result, its value continues to rise. Nutritionists have hailed it as one of the most promising green foods of the 21st century, and it has earned the reputation of being a “noble food” and “longevity food” in modern society. The nutritious buckwheat noodles produced in Zhidan County won the gold award at the National Spark Program Expo during Beijing’s Seventh Five-Year Plan period. Every part of the buckwheat plant is valuable — its flowers provide high-quality nectar for honey production, while its husks are known among locals as “little black treasures.” When used as pillow stuffing, the cool, flexible, and elastic hulls not only help improve vision and refresh the mind but also offer health benefits through gentle massage. Tourists who purchase and use these pillows often marvel at their effects, calling them “magic pillows,” and they have become a popular travel souvenir.