Taihu Whitebait

Taihu Whitebait

　　During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, ten thousand jin (approximately 5 metric tons) of whitebait were presented as an annual tribute, hence whitebait is also known as tribute fish. The flesh of Taihu whitebait is tender, delicious, and rich in nutrients. Its soft bones and roe contain high levels of calcium. A small portion of the whitebait produced in Taihu Lake is supplied to the market, while most is dried and sold elsewhere, or processed into grilled whitebait, surimi, and canned products. Taihu Lake produces about 700 tons of whitebait annually, with the peak season from August to October accounting for 80% of the yearly yield.