Health and Wellness in Shanxi, Summer Retreat in Shanxi — Taiyuan: Cuisine Section
Understanding food is the key to knowing summer, for the taste of summer is hidden in every mouthful of delicious food that we savor. In Taiyuan, summer is not just about air conditioning or watermelons,it also encompasses the likes of...
01 Wantuan
In a wide-mouthed shallow bowl, there lies a layer of slightly dark gray, wafer-thin flour crystals, affectionately known as "Wantuan." It is served directly from the bowl and cut into desired shapes with a knife. The primary condiments include mashed garlic, chili, and mature vinegar, which are mixed evenly. Once taken into the mouth, it offers a tender, smooth, and chewy texture, instantly filling the palate with a delightful blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.
On sweltering summer days when your appetite fades, a small white knife, a tiny bamboo skewer, a bag of red chili oil, and a bag of Shanxi's mature vinegar make for the perfect accompaniment to a bowl of chilled Wantuan. It's simply mouthwatering and delicious beyond words!
02 Taigang Soda
During the scorching summer, Taigang Soda is a must-have beverage for every Taiyuan resident.When the straw is dropped into the sparkling soda, tiny bubbles fizz and pop, liberating the senses, and eventually eliciting a satisfying burp tinged with the fragrance of fruit.The cool soda trickles down, leaving a sensation as if one's entire being has been chilled from top to toe. This is the taste of summer, and even more so, the flavor of old Taiyuan.
03 Tounao
Tounao, a unique breakfast originated from the people of Taiyuan, is a local snack with a distinctive flavor. Renowned for its nourishing effects on the human body, tounao has a history of 300 years. It is made from a combination of stewed flour, lotus root, lamb and yellow liquor. Regular consumption of tounao can help harmonize vital energy, promote blood circulation, strengthen the stomach, and nourish the body against deficiencies. On a summer morning, starting the day with a bowl of tounao is a delightful way for Taiyuan locals to embrace their leisurely lifestyle.
04 Shanxi Vinegar Cake
The people of Taiyuan have a great love for vinegar, and Shanxi mature vinegar boasts a history of over 3,000 years. This passion for vinegar has inspired the creative Taiyuan people to turn vinegar into a snack known as “vinegar cake.” The translucent and glossy texture of the vinegar cake is incredibly alluring. Taking a bite reveals its soft and sticky interior, with a perfectly balanced sweetness and sourness that fills the mouth with the aroma of its ingredients. When summer heat saps one's desire to eat, a couple of vinegar cakes can instantly revive the appetite, making it difficult to stop at just a few.
The sweltering summer heat can be difficult to endure, so come to Taiyuan to taste freshness and coolness. Here, colorful delicacies bring a perfect conclusion to every day.
Source: Comprehensive collation by sx.china.com