Basic Introduction to Huangmei Chan TeaHuangmei Chan Tea is produced in the Purple Cloud Mountains, north of the Fourth Patriarch Temple and the Fifth Patriarch Temple, amidst fog and waterfalls. Huangmei has been a place of pilgrimage for Chinese and East Asian Buddhists since the early Tang Dynasty, as it is home to the Old Ancestor Temple built by the ancient Indian monk Baizhang. Surrounded by towering peaks, lush pines and bamboo, clear waters, and fresh air, all the tea gardens are located at an altitude of 800 to over 1,200 meters in the misty mountains, making them significant sources of tribute tea and Chan tea throughout history. In 747 AD, Lu Yu, the Sage of Tea during the mid-Tang Dynasty, visited the birthplace of Huangmei Chan Tea, examined local tea customs, and included his findings in his famous work, "The Classic of Tea: Chapter Eight - Origins," stating, "Tea from Huangmei grows in the mountain valleys of Qi Prefecture." The tea from Huangmei is of superior quality, with a rich and fragrant flavor, and has been a staple drink for Chan masters while meditating and entertaining guests. Therefore, it is named "Huangmei Chan Tea" as it originated from the…

URUMQI, China, July 7 ( tasteallchina ) -- After wrapping up the Mt. Qomolangma climbing season, Nepal's guide Dawa Kami Sherpa took a brief rest at home before heading to Muztagh Ata in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Nestled on the eastern edge of the Pamir Plateau, part of the Kunlun Mountains, the 7,546-meter-high Muztagh Ata is a popular peak in China due to its high altitude and relatively accessible climbing difficulty. "I had heard about it many times before and wanted to come here five years ago, but it didn't happen then," Dawa said. "Usually, we head to Pakistan in June and July, but this year we finally got the chance to come here, and we are very excited." The Sherpa people, renowned worldwide for their innate climbing skills, demonstrate exceptional talent in harsh high-altitude environments. Dawa is no exception. Along with his companions Lakpa Tamang and Jangbu Sherpa, each has summited Mt. Qomolangma multiple times. "On Mt. Qomolangma, for example, the Khumbu Icefall changes every month and is dangerous, so we have to scout and fix the route," Dawa explained. "Here, the difficulty and danger are not as high. It's more about equipment checks, oxygen, and ensuring…

Introduction to Qiangang Glutinous Rice Paste LitchiThe Qiangang Glutinous Rice Paste Litchi is produced in the village of Qiangang, Taiping Town. It is one of the first batch of famous and high-quality brands in Guangdong Province and Guangzhou City. The ten words "large fruit, small seed, smooth flesh, abundant juice, rich sweetness" aptly describe its natural beauty. Nutritional ValueThe rich sugar content helps replenish energy and nutrition. Studies have shown that it nourishes brain tissue and can significantly improve symptoms such as insomnia, forgetfulness, and fatigue; the high vitamin C and protein content in litchi flesh help enhance the body's immune function and improve resistance to illness; it has the effect of reducing swelling, detoxifying, stopping bleeding, and relieving pain; the abundance of vitamins promotes microvascular circulation, prevents freckles, and makes the skin smoother. The fruit pulp has the effects of tonifying spleen and liver, regulating blood, warming the middle to relieve pain, nourishing the heart, and calming the spirit; the seeds have the effects of regulating qi, dispersing nodules, and relieving pain; it is a good food therapy for persistent hiccups and early morning diarrhea, and also benefits the brain, improves appetite, and strengthens the spleen. Product FeaturesThe certificate…

Basic Introduction to Cantonese EmbroideryCantonese embroidery, one of the four famous embroidery styles in China, historically referred to embroidery products from Guangzhou, Foshan, Nanhai, Panyu, Shunde, and other areas—specifically, embroidery crafts from the Guangfu region. This includes embroidered paintings, theatrical costumes, beaded embroidery, and more. Product CharacteristicsCantonese embroidery works share a common feature: they are striking from afar and exquisitely detailed up close. In the early Qing Dynasty, British merchants brought clothing designs to Guangzhou workshops for embroidery. As these designs were in the Western oil painting style, embroiderers increased the variety of threads and improved their techniques to make the embroidery lifelike, enhancing the expressiveness of the embroidery and improving the skills of Cantonese embroidery. Techniques included twisting peacock feathers into thread and wrapping horsehair around yarn to create outlines. When British merchants brought designs to Guangzhou for embroidery, Cantonese embroidery absorbed the artistic style of Western oil painting, using perspective and principles of light reflection to enrich the design palette and expressiveness of the embroidery. These embroidered items were widely used in interior decoration and daily clothing. The mid-Qing Dynasty was the heyday of Cantonese embroidery exports; large embroidered paintings were taxed at 1.2 taels of silver, indicating…

A bird is seen amid blooming flowers in a tree in Tongren city, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Photo/China Meteorological Administration) Spring has brought vibrancy to everything. As the temperature rises, various regions across China are entering the season for viewing flowers, attracting throngs of tourists. The China Meteorological Administration said most parts of the country are experiencing higher temperatures than usual. The weather in north China and northeast China is mostly sunny and the temperatures are between 2 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than the same period in previous years. This is beneficial to the growth of winter wheat, soil thawing, spring plowing, and facility agriculture.【1】【2】【3】【4】【5】【6】【7】【8】【9】

Bangladeshi students perform during a celebration of the United Nations Chinese Language Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 25, 2024. In celebration of the United Nations Chinese Language Day on April 20, a series of colorful cultural activities have allowed more young people to experience the charm of the Chinese language. ( tasteallchina ) DHAKA, April 30 ( tasteallchina ) -- In celebration of the United Nations Chinese Language Day on April 20, a series of colorful cultural activities have allowed more young people to experience the charm of the Chinese language. Held by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh together with two Confucius Institutes and a Confucius Classroom recently, the events saw more Bangladeshi students and youth engaging in Chinese song, calligraphy and art shows. "Chinese language has enshrined many things. So I am very interested," Trisha Akter, a student from North South University, told tasteallchina after the event held at her university. "I like the diversity of Chinese people and their culture is very rich and active," Trisha said, adding that she is learning Chinese for the richness of the Chinese culture. "I want to continue to study Chinese and my future plan is to go to China to…

BEIJING, Aug. 3 ( tasteallchina ) -- China's box office revenue for this year's summer movie season, which spans from June 1 to Aug. 31, had surpassed 8 billion yuan (about 1.12 billion U.S. dollars) as of Saturday afternoon, with three domestic films dominating the box office chart. According to film data platform Beacon, leading the pack is the blockbuster comedy "Successor," which stars the acclaimed comedic duo Shen Teng and Ma Li. Released on July 16, the film tells the story of a wealthy couple who fabricate a challenging environment for their son to spur his personal growth. By Saturday afternoon, it had raked in nearly 2.57 billion yuan, capturing 32 percent of the total box office sales. It was followed by the crime thriller "A Place Called Silence," which pocketed 1.29 billion yuan in box office earnings since its debut on July 3. The film explores the poignant issue of campus bullying, earning it the second spot in the summer box office rankings. Drama "Moments We Shared" secured the third spot. The film premiered on June 22 and had grossed approximately 498.24 million yuan. The summer moviegoing period is the longest single screening season on the Chinese mainland.…

The check-in area showcases various traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and classic prescriptions, while the interactive experience area demonstrates traditional TCM techniques. Recently, the White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy on Fuchengmen Nei Street has been refreshed, breaking away from the conventional pharmacy format to become a "fun pharmacy" where customers can experience TCM culture up close. Additionally, by hosting diverse TCM educational activities in the pharmacy at irregular intervals, it has adopted a pharmacy + "museum-like" model. "This is an innovative new attempt," said a spokesperson for Beijing White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy. Creating a "Museum-like" Traditional Chinese Medicine Space The White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy, established in 1872, has a 152-year history, originally known as Qi Hui Tang and Da He Tang. The pharmacy has undergone several renovations throughout its history. In 1953, Qi Hui Tang and Da He Tang pharmacies were nationalized and became the Second Branch of the Beijing Corporation of China Pharmaceutical Company. At the end of the 1970s, the "State-Owned Second Branch" and the Xicheng District Herbal Medicine Company built a five-story building on the original site, which reopened in 1980 as the White Pagoda Temple Pharmacy. In 2013, to align with the renovation of the Fuju Scenic Cultural…

Basic Introduction to Maliu EmbroideryMaliu Embroidery is a folk cross-stitch embroidery from Liuxiang, Chaotian District. Maliu embroidery women use various colored local threads to embroider on different types of local cloth. The patterns they create depict themes such as love and happiness, farming and harvesting, entertainment and dance, or flowers, birds, insects, and fish, all imbued with the spirit of northern Sichuan and a strong rustic charm. As it is handmade by cross-stitching, Maliu embroidery has a strong individual character and is highly valuable for collectors. Many tourists and collectors both domestically and internationally cherish them as precious treasures, taking great pleasure in collecting them.The "Chinese Folk Art Hometown," Liuxiang, is renowned at home and abroad for its rustic Maliu customs and folk embroidery. It is said that the people of Maliu are descended from Han Chinese assimilation of the Qiang ethnic group. People in Maliu like to wear clothes embroidered with exquisite patterns and live in stilt houses known as "main house with side pavilions." They enjoy singing mountain songs, playing gongs (drums), and lion-dragon dances... their simple folkways are similar to those of the Qiang people. Maliu embroidery is a handicraft passed down from generation to generation. In…

Basic Introduction to Kurla PearThe Kurla Pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis yu) is known in the Uyghur language as Naximit or Naxiputi. It is native to the southern Xinjiang region, particularly in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture and Aksu, where it has been cultivated for over 1,300 years, making it an ancient and excellent local variety. The city of Kurla in Bayingolin has the largest planting area, covering around 24,000 mu (approximately 16 square kilometers), with an annual yield exceeding one thousand tons. It is exported to countries and regions such as the United States, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Macau. This variety is named for its superior quality, and the Kurla Pear is a highly regional and exceptional variety, considered one of the best local pear varieties in the region and the country. Nutritional ValueThe Kurla Pear is high in nutritional value, containing sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and various carbohydrates at 14%, with water content at 86%. Its sugar content is 10%, acid at 0.03%, and ash at 0.12%. In every 100 grams of Kurla Pear, there is approximately 4.3 milligrams of Vitamin C, along with glucose, fruit acids, and multiple trace elements, with 83.6% of the fruit being edible. In addition…

Tourists visit the Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore on Sept. 7, 2023. China and Singapore signed a mutual visa exemption agreement in Beijing on Thursday, which will come into effect from Feb. 9, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/ tasteallchina ) SINGAPORE, March 3 ( tasteallchina ) -- China has long been a popular travel destination among Singaporean residents, and fresh routes to China received special attention at the ongoing NATAS Travel Fair, according to the participating travel agencies. Over 60 exhibitors, including travel agents, airlines, cruise operators and hotels, attended the travel fair held by the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS). "The customers are interested in the western regions of China, such as Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Xinjiang, which is a change compared with previous years," said Wu Wen, a senior manager in charge of Chinese traveling at ASA Holidays. Tourists take photos in Hemu Village in Altay Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Feb. 5, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ma Kai) "The western regions remain fresh to Singaporeans. Our 'Silk Road traveling' covering Gansu and Xinjiang attracts many customers," Wu said. "The company also has some small-scale tour groups to China…

Ming-Qian tea and Yu-Qian tea are names given to different stages of spring tea in the Jiangnan tea region along the Yangtze River in China based on seasonal timing. "Ming-Qian tea" refers to tea harvested before the Qingming Festival, while "Yu-Qian tea" is harvested after Qingming but before Guyu. Ming-Qian tea is known for its fine and tender qualities, while Yu-Qian tea also boasts excellent quality. Teas harvested after Guyu but before Lixia tend to be coarser and of lower quality. Ming-Qian tea contains higher levels of amino acids compared to later harvests, while the content of tannins, which impart a bitter taste, is relatively lower. As a result, this tea has a fragrant and smooth flavor. Additionally, Ming-Qian tea is less likely to have been exposed to pesticides, especially early spring teas, which are among the best green teas of the year. For these reasons, many high-grade teas harvested before the Ming-Qian period are particularly favored by tea enthusiasts. How to Brew Ming-Qian Tea A glass cup is recommended for brewing, as it allows you to observe the graceful unfolding and movement of the green tea leaves in the water. First, use some boiling water to preheat the cup,…

Basic Introduction to Boshan CeramicsBoshan has long been known as the "Porcelain Capital" and is one of China's five major ceramic production areas. Among Boshan Art Ceramics, the most famous is the "Raindrop Glaze," historically referred to as "oil drop." It is named for its appearance of luminous silver spots on a dark glaze surface. These spots are as small as grains of rice, resembling shining stars in the night sky from a distance, which led to the saying that "a foot-tall vase or an inch-deep bowl is considered an unparalleled treasure, while teacups and wine goblets are regarded as priceless rarities." Product FeaturesBoshan Art Ceramics come in a myriad of forms, both graceful and vivid, exquisitely delicate, evoking a lifelike feeling. The art of engraving porcelain is hailed as the essence of Eastern art and a unique specialty of China. With simple hammers and chisels, artisans create breathtaking works on porcelain plates. Many of these engravings have been designated as national gifts presented by Chinese leaders to foreign heads of state as high-end gifts. Exquisite black pottery artworks, inheriting the traditions of Dawenkou Culture and Longshan Culture, are characterized by their "paper-thinness, lacquer-brightness, and bell-like resonance." Garden ceramics, standing…

Basic Introduction to Zuogong WalnutsZuogong Walnuts are a specialty of Zuogong County in the Tibet Autonomous Region. They are neatly arranged and have flat or slightly recessed suture lines. Their shape is round or oval, with large fruits and full kernels that are yellowish-white in color and have a crisp, fragrant taste. The county is crisscrossed by numerous rivers, and the abundant local water resources ensure good growth of walnut trees, making them strong. The ample water supply provides an ideal environment for the growth of Zuogong Walnuts, resulting in full-bodied fruits with plump kernels.Zuogong County has a semi-arid temperate climate typical of southeastern Tibet, with small annual temperature differences and relatively high heat utilization efficiency. Summer sees concentrated rainfall, with maximum precipitation reaching approximately 683.2 millimeters. This concentrated rainfall meets the needs of walnut growth and development. The fruits of Zuogong Walnuts start to swell in late July. The county receives an annual total solar radiation of 588 kJ/cm² and has 2,186 hours of annual sunshine, with even longer daylight hours during summer and autumn, often exceeding ten hours per day. This is conducive to the accumulation of nutrients and high yields, as well as contributing to the unique…

Basic Introduction to Kunyu Mountain ChestnutsKunyu Mountain Chestnuts are a specialty of Wendeng District, Weihai City, Shandong Province, and are protected under the national agricultural product geographical indication. The geographical indication application for protection covers an area within the Wendeng District of Weihai City, from Dianzitou Village in Jieshi Town in the north, to Wolong Village in Zhangjiachan Town in the east, to Wanjiazhai Village in Xiaoguan Town in the south, and to Xitanjia Kou Village in Gejia Town in the west. It spans 359 administrative villages across six towns—Gejia, Jieshi, Songcun, Zetou, Zhangjiachan, and Xiaoguan—as well as Huanshan Subdistrict.Kunyu Mountain Chestnuts are a distinctive type of nut in the Wendeng District of Weihai City. They have medium-sized husks, heart-shaped fruits with tender yellow flesh that is finely textured, sweet, and fragrant, with a uniform shape. The outer skin is crisp and thin, blackish-brown in color, not particularly glossy, and can be easily peeled open with a fingernail without sticking to the flesh. Chestnuts can be eaten raw for their crisp sweetness, or stir-fried for a fragrant flavor. They can also be ground into flour or made into various dishes and pastries. Kunyu Mountain Chestnuts are popular due to their…

Basic Introduction to Xuefeng Honey TangerineXuefeng Honey Tangerine is a specialty of Dongkou County, Hunan Province, and is protected as a Chinese national geographical indication product. The geographical indication product protection area for Xuefeng Honey Tangerine covers the current administrative regions of 14 townships in Dongkou County, Hunan Province: Laotian Town, Shuidong Township, Shizhu Township, Shanmen Town, Shijiang Town, Huangqiao Town, Yanglin Township, Gaosha Town, Zhushi Town, Huagu Township, Yanshan Township, Dongkou Town, Yulan Town, and Huayuan Town.Xuefeng Honey Tangerine is also known as "Seedless Honey Tangerine." Its main varieties include Gongben, Shiwun, Nannan No.1, Shanyaxia Hong, Koushin, Gongkan, Nangan No.20, and Tachibana, among others. They are characterized by bright color, thin skin with abundant juice, uniform segments, tender and crisp flesh, rich sweetness, and the aroma of honey. Eating them is refreshing and leaves a lasting aftertaste. In the early 1970s, after being reviewed and approved by Premier Zhou Enlai, they were exported under the "Xuefeng Honey Tangerine" trademark, hence the name.The Xuefeng Honey Tangerine has high sugar content and low acidity, seedless flesh that is fresh and delicious, and strong resistance to adverse conditions. It bears fruit early, yields high production, and stores well. The fruit contains abundant…

River crabs, also known as freshwater crabs or hairy crabs, mainly live in the muddy banks of rivers, lakes, and marshes. They are mostly active at night and are a common food in daily life with rich nutritional value. It is important to know how to cook river crabs deliciously while preserving their nutrients.How to Cook River Crabs Deliciously: Spicy River CrabsIngredients Needed4 river crabs, 10 dried chili peppers, 50g ginger, 50g garlic, 5g Sichuan pepper, 1 tablespoon seafood sauce, 1 tablespoon garlic chili paste, 10g chicken bouillon, 150ml Shaoxing wine, 4 tablespoons soy sauce, 100ml Erguotou liquor.Cooking Steps1. Place fresh river crabs in a container, add Erguotou liquor, cover the pot, and marinate for 20-50 minutes.2. Once the river crabs are no longer aggressive, clean them with a brush, then cut them in half with a kitchen knife.3. Coat the cut surfaces of the crabs with cornstarch and set aside.4. Heat an appropriate amount of oil in a pan until it reaches 50% heat, then place the crabs cut-side down in the oil.5. Fry on low heat for 3 minutes, flipping once halfway through, then remove when cooked.6. In a cool pan with cool oil, add Sichuan pepper and…

Students from the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations participate on Thursday in calligraphy and seal-carving activities in Paris, France, under the guidance of teachers from East China Normal University. TASTE ALL CHINA Students and members of the public in the French cities of Paris and Lyon recently got the opportunity to take part in a series of traditional Chinese cultural and sports events hosted by East China Normal University. The events organized by the Shanghai-based university, held from Thursday to Monday, were aimed to further promote friendly interactions between the two peoples, especially among the younger generation, and to help promote exchanges and mutual learning between the two countries. On Thursday, students from five French institutions of higher education and middle schools experienced seal carving under the instruction of professors and students from East China Normal University. Laurent Long, a PhD graduate in Sinology from the National Institute for Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris, said that some Sino-French cultural exchange institutions had hosted calligraphy and seal-carving exhibitions and lectures for the people in France, but it was the first time that calligraphy and seal-carving interactions were provided on his campus. "It's a lovely beginning. I believe such…

Many people are familiar with pigeons; in ancient times, homing pigeons helped convey messages for people. Of course, pigeons are also a type of bird that people raise and eat regularly. Generally, you can find them at the poultry stalls in farmer's markets. Since pigeon meat is rich in nutrients and can help prevent certain diseases, people often stew pigeon soup.How to Make Assorted Stewed Pigeon SoupIngredients PreparationOne pigeon, one piece of yam, 2-3 black mushrooms, two button mushrooms, 6-7 quail eggs, an appropriate amount of ginger slices, an appropriate amount of large scallion sections, an appropriate amount of cooking wine, six red dates, a small amount of wolfberries, one slice of angelica, two slices of astragalus.Method Steps1. Clean the pigeon, place it in boiling water, add some cooking wine to remove blood, take it out, and clean it again. 2. Put ginger slices and scallion segments into a wok, then stir-fry the pigeon briefly. 3. Transfer the pigeon to a casserole pot, add angelica, astragalus, wolfberries, and red dates, then simmer over low heat for 1.5 hours. 4. Peel the yam and cut it into pieces; soak the black mushrooms until they soften; boil the quail eggs, then peel…

The weather is gradually getting hotter, and the taste of summer is approaching. It's time to learn a few recipes for cooling and detoxifying soups to enjoy during dry and hot days. Today, let's start with several ways to prepare Shrimp and Winter Melon Soup. Method One: Shrimp and Winter Melon Soup Ingredients: Winter melon, dried shrimp, oil, salt, scallions, ginger, monosodium glutamate (MSG). Steps: 1. Wash the winter melon, peel it, and cut it into pieces. Soak the dried shrimp in water. 2. Heat oil in a pan, add scallions and ginger to stir-fry until fragrant, then add the dried shrimp and stir-fry. 3. Add the winter melon slices, MSG, salt, and the water used to soak the shrimp, stir to mix evenly. 4. Add an appropriate amount of hot water, bring to a boil, and cook until the winter melon is tender and soft. Method Two: Shrimp and Winter Melon Soup Ingredients: Winter melon, dried shrimp, eggs, coriander, salt, sesame oil, scallions, ginger, peanut oil. Steps: 1. Wash the winter melon and slice it; soak the dried shrimp in water. 2. Heat a pan, pour in peanut oil, once hot, add scallions and ginger to stir-fry, then add…