The phenomenon of Harbin's gift of cranberries has sparked a "comprehensive agricultural survey". Sichuan is known for producing caviar, while Anhui is famous for its foie gras. What are some "unexpected" specialties from your hometown?

Reflections on Regional Specialties and Agricultural Technology

Seeing a picture, I noticed that the statistics were incomplete, and some aspects were unsurprising, such as the Dandong strawberries. Overall, it seems quite interesting and can add a lot of knowledge.

I think that while some local specialties have greatly contributed to the economic growth of their regions, there are instances that seem a bit like off-season fruits. For example, can Xinjiang’s seafood really be healthier and tastier than Guangdong’s? Is it really safe to eat raw salmon from Xinjiang without worrying about parasites?

Of course, it’s commendable to use foreign technology in combination with local resources to create popular products. This approach has a broad market prospect and plays a significant role in promoting agricultural economic development, which is also very beneficial for local economic growth.

As consumers, we should have the right to know whether these surprising agricultural products are harmful to our health and what kind of advanced technologies are used in their production. As the saying goes, eating with confidence gives you the energy to work hard.

Let’s wait and see if different regions will send unexpected gifts to Harbin and how many surprising responses Harbin will have.

No one can walk out of the Hangzhou barbershop with a smile.

National-level healthy breakfast - Baby Mantou.

Internet-famous livelihood program - “1818 Golden Eye.”

Not all Longjing teas are called West Lake Longjing.

Eighteen Royal Teas.

“Shifeng, Longjing, Yunqi, Hurao, Meijiawu” are the five most famous top tea-producing regions.

Among the five major brands, Longjing tea, mainly from the core production area of West Lake in Hangzhou, is known for the best quality, especially the Longjing from Shifeng.

Unexpected Specialty of Shandong - Brandy!

Zhangyu Gold Award Brandy

Many Shandong residents might say, isn’t brandy an imported liquor?

If you’ve been to Yantai, you’re probably familiar with brandy and wine because in Yantai, whether entertaining clients or friends, the dining table is incomplete without local specialties like brandy and wine.

Zhangyu Koya Brandy

Why is brandy so popular in Yantai? Because the Zhangyu Winery, with a century-old history, is located in Yantai. It’s a leading company in China’s brandy and wine production, and the locals have had a taste for it for generations.

In other parts of Shandong, brandy is less known because most areas in Qilu (Shandong) prefer drinking baijiu (white liquor), and there are also many well-known brands of baijiu: Jingzhi, Taishan, Kongfu Jia, Bandaojing, Baotuquan, Langyatai, Yunmen Chen niang, Gubeichun, Lanling liquor…

The primary consumers of brandy are in the southern regions and Yantai itself, especially in Guangdong and Fujian. So, many Shandong residents (except Yantai locals) are unaware that Shandong produces brandy!

Harbin brings cranberries as gifts, Ya’an in Sichuan offers caviar, Liuan in Anhui presents foie gras, Gansu brings out South American prawns, Xinjiang offers seafood, Shanxi serves up hairy crabs, Dujiangyan offers salmon, and there are Yunnan matsutake mushroom biscuits, Beijing alligator, Henan diamonds…

When you come to Shandong, visit Yantai and taste our domestically produced brandy! Hospitality from Shandong welcomes you!

Shandong’s Unexpected Local Delights

Wanyuan Crabs

As autumn arrives, the craving for crabs sets in, and the scent of chrysanthemums fills the air. This picturesque scene unfolds along the banks of the Yellow River in Wanyuan County, Shanxi.

Surprisingly, crabs share their habitat with rice here. The natural hidden spaces formed by rice fields help crabs evade predators. Crabs, in return, serve as free labor, aerating the soil and feeding on aquatic and plant life, which aids in weed and pest control while saving on feed costs. Their waste also enhances soil organic matter, making water quality a crucial factor for crab farmers.

Thanks to the excellent water quality in this region, crabs thrive, and over the years, crab farming has grown into a significant industry. The crabs from here are highly sought after and are exported to cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, and Guangdong.

Yongji South American White Shrimp

Thin shells, plump flesh, and a size comparable to the palm of your hand - these South American white shrimp can be found in Yongji City. This success story is all thanks to once barren saline-alkali land.

Local residents brainstormed and experimented extensively to transform this saline-alkali water into an ideal habitat for shrimp growth. Shrimp’s acidic waste neutralizes the alkaline components of the land, solidifying the soil and preventing desertification while purifying water quality.

The cultivation of South American white shrimp not only revitalized the previously “sleeping” saline-alkali land but also increased villagers' income, making it a win-win situation.

Jiangxian Cherries

Known as the “Cherry Capital” of North China, Jiangxian County in Shanxi boasts a reputation for its large cherries. These cherries have even been certified as geographical indication products by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Thanks to the unique mountain climate and selenium-rich soil, Jiangxian cherries have a bright color, thin skin, juiciness, and excellent taste. Their large size is another distinctive feature, with fruits reaching diameters of over 2.5 centimeters.

Now, Jiangxian is actively building itself into a national cherry hub, focusing on producing and selling high-quality cherries, cultivating cherry varieties, processing high-end cherry products, providing advanced cherry cultivation training, and offering cherry-picking experiences for tourists.

Jincheng Salmon

In late autumn, Zhangfeng Village in Zhengzhuang Town, Qinshui County, Jincheng City, comes alive. Along the Lake Huan embankment, you’ll find the salmon farming facility operated by Shanxi Qinze Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. It is the largest cold-water fish farming base in North China.

This salmon farming location boasts the essential elements required for salmon cultivation: high-quality water sources and suitable temperatures. The water source comes from the Zhangfeng Reservoir, known for its clear and pollution-free water, suitable for both drinking and maintaining a stable temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius year-round, ideal for cold-water fish growth.

Originally imported from Denmark, salmon is known as the “King of the Ice Seas” in international gastronomy due to its delicious meat and rich nutrients, including EPA and DHA. Today, Jincheng salmon not only caters to locals but also reaches cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, and Shandong, gaining popularity among customers.

Taiyuan Plums

From September 5th to October 5th each year, the European plum picking festival takes place in the rural tranquility of Jintan Field in Nanzhai Village, Jiexiu District, Taiyuan. This event has been held for eight years and is now one of the longest-running plum-picking festivals in Shanxi.

Nanzhai Village’s Jintan Field is one of the first places in Shanxi to introduce and cultivate European plums, thanks to its unique mountain climate and selenium-rich soil. Over the past decade, the village has invested millions to modernize its agricultural facilities, establishing a fruit production base spanning thousands of acres. The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has recognized it as a “Fruit Standardized Production Demonstration Park” and a provincial-level special industry support base for 2022.

European plums are rich in vitamin A and fiber, as well as minerals like iron and potassium but contain no fat, making them a nutritious choice for all ages. They can grow in a wide temperature range, thriving in areas with an average annual temperature of 9°C or higher. Additionally, their cold resistance can change with the variety of grafting rootstock used, making plum cultivation in northern regions more accessible.

In Shanxi, cities like Taiyuan, Datong, Jinzhong, Yuncheng, and Jincheng all have plum orchards. Every September, when plums ripen, various plum-picking festivals are organized, allowing urban residents to experience rural charm.

Shanxi, known for its rich culture and abundance of resources, has evolved from being known primarily for its noodles to offering a diverse range of foods, including grains, fruits, flowers, seafood, and more, continually challenging my perception of the province.

Tomato Farming in Tianzhen

I discovered something surprising while shopping in several supermarkets in Beijing last year - the tomatoes all came from Tianzhen, Datong. It felt strangely familiar.

That’s when I realized that my hometown likely had a significant tomato production. Otherwise, how could they consistently supply Beijing markets, selling for only 1.5 RMB per 500 grams during the summer?

I asked a relative in the village and found out that the county has established numerous vegetable farms and signed contracts with suppliers for large supermarkets and markets in Beijing. The business is booming.

Hearing this made me realize that my hometown, besides growing corn and millet, now cultivates tomatoes and other vegetables. No wonder the local economy has improved in recent years, with per capita income rising to over ten thousand RMB. It seems there’s a promising path out of poverty and towards prosperity.

Hangzhou Barbershop?

Hangzhou Xiaolongbao?

Hangzhou West Lake Sweet and Sour Fish?

Hangzhou Internet Celebrity Live Streaming?

Top 10 Famous Specialties of Shanxi Province

1. Shanxi Aged Vinegar

When it comes to the most iconic product of Shanxi, it has to be Shanxi Aged Vinegar. Not only is it a specialty of Shanxi Province, but it also ranks among China’s top four famous vinegars. Shanxi Aged Vinegar is made from high-quality sorghum, barley, peas, and other ingredients through multiple processes, earning it the reputation of “the best vinegar in the world.”

2. Fenjiu (Fen Liquor)

Fenjiu, also known as Xinghua Village Liquor, is named after Xinghua Village in Fenyang City, Shanxi Province. It has a history of over 4,000 years and is one of the top ten famous liquors in Shanxi. Known for its rich aroma and smooth taste, Fenjiu represents the clear fragrance style of Chinese white spirits and is one of the eight famous Chinese liquors.

3. Pingyao Beef

Pingyao Beef is a specialty of Pingyao County in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. It has a long history and is made from carefully selected ingredients using unique processing techniques. The processed beef is tender, flavorful, and nutritionally rich, making it one of the top ten famous specialties of Shanxi.

4. Qinzhou Yellow Millet

Qinzhou Yellow Millet is a specialty of Qinxian County in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. The unique climate and soil conditions in Qinxian County are ideal for the growth of Qinzhou Yellow Millet. The millet has a golden color, a round and smooth texture, and high nutritional value, making it perfect for preparing delicious and fragrant rice.

5. Jiangzhou Inkstone

Jiangzhou Inkstone is a famous traditional handicraft of Shanxi Province and is one of China’s four famous inkstones. Its production has a long history, dating back to the middle of the Tang Dynasty. The crafting process is complex, and it has been offered as a tribute to the imperial court since the mid-Tang Dynasty.

6. Xixian Yulu Pear

Xixian Yulu Pear is a specialty fruit of Xixian County in Linfen City, Shanxi Province. The excellent natural climate and soil conditions in Xixian County are ideal for the growth of Yulu Pears. These pears are visually appealing, with thick and juicy flesh, a sweet and fragrant taste, and abundant nutrition.

7. Jiaocheng Jun Jujube

Jiaocheng Jun Jujube is a specialty of Jiaocheng County in Lvliang City, Shanxi Province. With low rainfall, ample sunshine, and rich organic matter in the soil, Jiaocheng County provides an excellent environment for growing Jun Jujubes. These jujubes have a deep red color, thin skin, thick flesh, and are rich in vitamins.

8. Qixian Crispy Pear

Qixian Crispy Pear is a specialty fruit of Qixian County in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province. Qixian’s favorable geographical and climatic conditions create an excellent environment for the growth of Crispy Pears. These pears have a pleasing appearance, thin skin, tender flesh, and a sweet taste, making them a top-quality pear variety.

9. Jixian Apples

Jixian Apples are a specialty fruit of Jixian County in Linfen City, Shanxi Province. The county’s ideal climate, hydrology, and soil conditions are well-suited for apple cultivation. Jixian Apples have an attractive appearance, vibrant color, crisp and juicy flesh, and a delightful sweet-tart flavor, making them highly popular.

10. Taigu Pastry

Taigu Pastry is a famous snack and specialty of Shanxi Province. It originated during the Qing Dynasty and is made from ingredients such as flour, white sugar, malt sugar, and sesame seeds. Taigu Pastry is known for its crispy texture, balanced sweetness, and long shelf life.

Shanxi Folk Song:

Lyrics Praising Local Products

Pingyao’s beef and Taigu’s pastry, Qingxu’s grapes are sweet and tasty. Yuci, Taiyuan, Qixian town, Delicious noodles are known all around.

Datong’s fur coats are white and bright, Beilu’s walnuts are a true delight. Yangquan’s coal, well-known indeed, Pingding’s hot pot, a sizzling feed.

Jishan’s red dates, sweet and fine, Xiexian’s lotus is so divine. Yuxiang’s persimmons, red and sweet, Xinghua Village’s inkstones are neat.

Gaoping’s radishes, Jinzhong’s leek, Quwo’s dried tobacco, fragrant and sleek. Yugua melons in Linfen town, Shanxi’s aged vinegar, famous renown.

Shanxi’s specialties, so much to claim, From Jinxian town to Pingyao’s fame. Among them all, who takes the crown? It’s our Pingyao, hands down!

It seems like China is very wealthy, with individuals spending tens of thousands; but upon closer inspection, ordinary people are still not connected to this.

Ordinary people still cannot afford those specialties: whether it’s caviar, matsutake mushroom biscuits, black truffles, or Australian lobsters.

This is cranberry in Guangzhou, which northern netizens must have never seen.

Guangxi Rong’an kumquats, I know that they hold the kumquat festival every year now and then auction them, but I didn’t expect it to be so extravagant.

But they are really delicious~