Warm your stomach with grass jelly delicacies and indulge in the homemade dishes of Guanxi’s master chefs.

On a chilly day, a warm bowl of soup is just what you need to soothe your stomach. Among the street food stalls, thick and fragrant grass jelly is the most mouthwatering treat. Guanxi Township, known as the “Hometown of Grass Jelly,” not only offers a variety of grass jelly dishes but also features fun DIY activities. Strolling through this rustic town, you’ll also be enveloped by the uniquely enticing aroma of naturally wind-dried grass jelly, thanks to the area’s famous “Cyclone Wind.” In winter, why not pause here and savor the fresh and “grassy” delights?

In earlier times, grass jelly was regarded merely as a medicinal herb, but it later became a high-economic-value crop produced on a large scale. Today, Guanxi Township has the largest grass jelly cultivation area in Taiwan, covering approximately 150 hectares, accounting for over 80% of the island’s total grass jelly production. The township benefits from a temperate and humid climate, well-drained soil, excellent water quality, and a basin-hilly terrain that captures moisture from fog to nourish the plants. It also enjoys the “Cyclone Wind,” which naturally dries the grass jelly. The current harvesting method involves collecting the roots, stems, and leaves of mature grass jelly plants, drying them into “grass jelly flakes,” bundling them, and then stacking them to air-dry naturally. This process removes the raw grassy flavor and leaves behind the aromatic essence of grass jelly. The “grass jelly flakes” can be boiled with water to make grass jelly tea, transformed into grass jelly dessert, or used to cook Guanxi’s proudly famous grass jelly chicken soup.

Every year from November to December, the grass jelly seedlings that have been cuttings bloom. The flowers come in shades of purple and white, swaying gracefully in the nurseries, creating a breathtaking sight. During this period, the beautiful grass jelly blossoms often captivate passersby who stop to admire them. Grass jelly has an astringent, sweet, and cooling nature. Whether made into grass jelly tea, grass jelly dessert, or used in cooking, it offers a uniquely sweet and mellow flavor. The creative and flavorful grass jelly chicken soup is a frequent winner in culinary competitions. The broth is prepared with ingredients like polygonatum, goji berries, rehmannia, and black dates, along with grass jelly juice, and is simmered over low heat for two hours before serving. The moment the pot is opened, it’s enough to make your mouth water.

The dish “Grass Jelly Lily,” made with lily bulbs, ginkgo nuts, and grass jelly dessert, is visually striking and especially refreshing and invigorating to enjoy in the summer. Meanwhile, the seemingly ordinary black-colored Eight Treasures Rice becomes less greasy and more refreshing thanks to the addition of grass jelly powder to the ingredients typically used for fried rice. Guanxi Township’s Farmers’ Association and many local shops also offer hands-on DIY grass jelly dessert experiences, providing city dwellers with a rare taste of farm life.

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