Guanyun Da Gao (Guanyun Grand Cake)

Guanyun Da Gao

　　　　Guanyun Da Gao, also known as “Jade Belt Cake,” commonly called “Osmanthus Sliced Cake” by the locals, is an essential premium food for holidays and gift-giving to family and friends. The name “Jade Belt Cake” has a long history and enjoys widespread acclaim, and behind it lies a little-known historical anecdote.

　　In the 60th year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1721) during the Qing Dynasty, the Grand Canal Governor and Left Court Prime Minister Zhang stayed at the Ancient Buddha Temple on Dayi Mountain while managing river works. He found the vegetarian meals at the temple monotonous and bland, so he asked the presiding monk if there were any special local delicacies on Dayi Mountain. The old monk then presented the locally produced Osmanthus Sliced Cake. Its shape resembled the jade belt worn by first-rank officials of the time, snow-white in color and fragrant. The paper-thin slices required no chewing—the sweet, rich taste melted into one's mouth effortlessly. Governor Zhang couldn't help but applaud in admiration, lamenting that he had discovered this exquisite delicacy too late. He then picked up a brush and wrote a five-character quatrain on the whitewashed wall: “The jade belt wafts across the land, welcomed by households far and near. A rare cuisine wins praise, living truly up to its fame.” When he returned to the capital, he specially renamed the Osmanthus Sliced Cake as Jade Belt Cake and presented it to Emperor Kangxi (Xuanye) for tasting. The emperor was delighted, and it thus became a tribute offering.

　　In 1990, Guanyun Da Gao won the silver award at the First China Food Expo and was recognized as a provincial and ministerial-level quality product.