Tongli Min Bing

Tongli Min Bing

　　Min Bing was originally an ordinary homemade snack from rural households in the Jiangnan region, with a history of at least 500 years. Tongli Min Bing is unique in its ingredients and preparation method. It has a dark bluish-green color, a glossy and delicate texture, a fragrant taste, and is sweet without being greasy when chewed. Its flavor remains unchanged even after more than half a month.

　　The production begins by soaking Min grass (scientific name: Boehmeria nivea, also called Tian Qing Di Bai Cao) in lime to extract its juice, which is then mixed with glutinous rice flour to form the outer layer. The filling consists of red bean paste, walnut kernels, pine nuts, and sugared lard cubes, shaped like a mooncake and then steamed. Min grass is non-toxic with a sweet and cool nature, containing various components such as caffeic tannins, carotene, protein, and carbohydrates. It has medicinal benefits including clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing inflammation and stopping bleeding, as well as calming the fetus.