Jilin Frog

Jilin Frog

　　Also known as "toad," its scientific name is "Chinese forest frog." Jilin frog is ranked among China's four great mountain delicacies, alongside ptarmigan, bear paw, and monkey head mushroom. The Jilin frog resembles a toad in appearance but has a wide, flat head that is slightly triangular. Its blunt and wide snout slightly protrudes over the lower jaw, with distinct maxillary ridges. There is a horn-shaped black mole near the tympanum. The body is relatively short and broad, with a yellowish-brown or dark brown back featuring "eight"-shaped black spots. The sides of the body are gray with a few scattered warts. The male frog’s belly is milky white, while the female’s is reddish-yellow with orange-red spots. Its front limbs are relatively thick and short, while the hind limbs are well-developed and highly flexible at the joints. The digits lack suction pads or transverse grooves, and there are black crossbands on the dorsal side of the limbs, making them adept at jumping. They emerge from the thawed waters in spring and inhabit shady, moist areas in mountains, forests, riverbanks, or grassy thickets. Their skin color changes with the seasons—green in spring, yellowish-brown in summer, and entirely brown in autumn. The mountainous regions of eastern Jilin are the primary habitats of the frog. People catch them three times a year: during the spring "river opening," the autumn "field cutting," and the winter "avoidance of plain food." Frogs caught after the river thaws, having emerged from a long hibernation with empty stomachs, have exceptionally tender meat. Those caught during field cutting are rich in nutrients and have plump, flavorful flesh. Winter-hibernating frogs, with their lean and clean meat, offer a uniquely refined taste and are especially prized.

　　Frogs are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and small amounts of fat, along with a high water content. Compared to commonly consumed meats (chicken, duck, goose, beef, horse, lamb, fish), they are superior both in taste and nutritional value. Frog oil is especially nutritious. According to measurements, it contains 56.53% protein, 4.3% fat, 9.65% carbohydrates, as well as elements such as sulfur and phosphorus, and vitamins A, B, C, along with various hormones.

　　According to the Song Dynasty text "Illustrated Pharmacopoeia," the "mountain toad" described as "resembling a toad but larger, and yellow in color" likely refers to the Jilin frog. It also mentions that "mountain people also eat it." Folklore says this frog feeds on ginseng sprouts, which further illustrates how highly valued the frog is.

　　Jilin frog oil is not only a precious mountain delicacy but also a high-grade tonic. It has the functions of nourishing weakness, strengthening vitality, and reducing fever. It is used to treat conditions such as physical fatigue, neurasthenia, lack of energy, lung deficiency cough, chronic illness imbalance, postpartum weakness, blood and qi deficiency, dizziness, insomnia, and memory decline.