Xiapi Tribute Vegetable

Xiapi Tribute Vegetable

　　Xiapi Tribute Vegetable, also known as moss stem, is a green food primarily made from the edible stems growing above ground. It has a crisp and tender texture, bright green color, and sweet taste, and was designated as a “tribute vegetable” during the Qing Dynasty under Emperor Qianlong. Currently, in Gupi, Suining County, there is a thousand-acre moss stem cultivation base, yielding about 100 kilograms of dried moss stem per mu annually. The product is highly popular in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Singapore.

　　Production Method of the Tribute Vegetable: From before the Spring Festival to after the Lantern Festival, select large mustard greens with well-formed buds but no flowering. Remove the outer leaves, cut them into four pieces, and let them dry slightly in the sun to remove some moisture. Then slice them horizontally into strips or granules using a knife. Next, air-dry them further in strong sunlight until they are semi-dried. Place them in a wooden barrel, layering salt between the layers, then press down with heavy stones. After one night, the bitter juice will be drained out, then allow them to dry a bit more before proceeding with the pickling process. For pickling, place the mustard greens into a wooden barrel or ceramic basin. While kneading, gradually add salt, sugar, and yellow rice wine, continuing to rub and mix. Then blend in fermented black beans or minced galangal. Once ready, seal them in a jar to allow slow fermentation and maturation. After one to two months, they are ready to eat. The resulting product is richly colored, aromatic, crispy upon biting, and has a well-balanced salty-sweet flavor. There is also a variety called crispy tribute vegetable (酥贡), which is made using the same method but does not require long-term pickling—it can be eaten in just two or three days. Its characteristic is a crisp, jade-green exterior. The ratios of the ingredients vary according to regional preferences or individual tastes. Some add chili peppers to the crispy tribute vegetable mixture, while others add sesame seeds.