Guo Ren Zhang

Guo Ren Zhang

　　　Tianjin’s Guo Ren Zhang produces a variety of delicious nuts that are naturally colored and aromatic—fragrant yet refined, sweet without being cloying, with appealing colors, crispy textures, and long-lasting freshness even when stored for extended periods. Guo Ren Zhang has a history of over 160 years. The first-generation founder, Zhang Mingchun, and the second-generation, Zhang Weishun, once worked as chefs in the imperial kitchen of the Qing Dynasty, specializing in frying various snacks, which earned them praise from the emperor and recognition from Empress Dowager Cixi, leading to their designation as imperial delicacies. After the liberation, the third-generation descendant, Zhang Huishan, created varieties such as Pure Fragrant Peanut Kernels, Glassy Walnut Kernels, and Tiger-Skin Peanut Kernels. In 1956, these were recognized as premium-quality foods at the Tianjin Culinary and Commercial Quality Products Exhibition and were exhibited at the Botswana International Fair. Former Premier Zhou Enlai also served Guo Ren Zhang products to foreign guests at state banquets on multiple occasions.

　　Today’s Guo Ren Zhang products embody the painstaking wisdom of four generations. The production techniques and ingredient selection are rigorously precise. The nuts must be full and meet specific standards, with oil quality and temperature adjusted according to seasonal changes. Ingredients are tailored to achieve different colors and flavors for each nut product. The craftsmanship involves techniques such as spreading, flipping, pressing, scooping, flicking, holding, lifting, pressing, turning, squeezing, gathering, dotting, and brushing.