Buckwheat from Northern Shaanxi

Last updated 2026-11-09 — Buckwheat from Northern Shaanxi is one of the traditional export products of Yan'an, mainly grown in the northern counties of the city. It is also known as one of the “Three Treasures of Northern Shaanxi,” along with lamb and thyme. The total planting area in the city is about one million hectares, with an annual output of hundreds of thousands of tons. Yan'an buckwheat has a long growth period and benefits from abundant light and heat. Its grains are large with thin skins, producing white flour that is rich and elastic. The noodles made from it are fine, white, smooth, and delicious. It contains higher levels of protein, fat, and vitamins than rice or wheat. Not only is it tasty, but it also helps prevent arteriosclerosis, manage diabetes, aid digestion, and even has anti-cancer properties. As a result, its value continues to rise. Nutritionists call it one of the most promising green foods of the 21st century and praise it as the “noble food” or “longevity food” of modern society. The nutritious buckwheat noodles produced in Zhidan County won the gold medal 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, and its husks are known among locals as “black treasures.” When used as pillow stuffing, the cool, flexible, and elastic hulls not only help refresh the eyes and mind but also offer health benefits through gentle massage. Tourists who purchase and use these pillows often marvel at them, calling them “magic pillows,” and they have become a popular travel souvenir. (Yan'an)