World Natural Heritage World Geopark The First National Forest Park of China
1.Changsha food recommendation
Stinky Tofu
With near one thousand years' history, Chinese stinky tofu is known as choudoufuru, a preserved tofu soaked in brine, with a dark green color and strong acrid smell; it's bitter and yeasty.
For fans of stinky food, the stronger the smell, the better the taste. All the smell comes from the brine, made from fermented milk, mustard green and other ingredients. The formula for brine is usually a closely guarded restaurant secret.
Stinky tofu is made from bean curd, bittern, winter bamboo shoots as well as starter wine. And sesame oil, soy sauce and other seasonings are added when Smelly Bean Curd is fried. Crisp and tender, Smelly Bean Curds are very delicious.
Changsha Style Cooked Crayfish
Spicy Fish Head
The fish head should be large, probably from an enormous carp or similar freshwater species, thus comical, and it should be frosted with the chopped blend of dried, fresh and fermented chiles that give Hunanese cooking its reputation for head-snapping heat.
The huge fish head features splendid colors and bold flavors.The ingredients include red pepper crusted tuna, onions, ginger, salt and cooking wine and peanut oil.
2.Changde food recommendation
Changde Rice Noodles
The thin, long, round and smooth rice noodles is made of a mixture of rice flour and specially prepared condiments. The cooked rice noodles give the eater a lasting savor.
Lixian Grape
Each grape is famous for its big size, thin skin, abundant juice, which make a tender, fresh and sweet taste.
Hanshou Yubi Lotus Root
The Yubi lotus root is smooth and non-fibrous but contains plentiful juice with a fresh and appetizing flavor.
3.Zhangjiajie food recommendation
Rock Fungus
It is very nutritious and delicious if cooked with chicken or spareribs; yet it is very difficult to pick, for it grows only on cliffs.
Glutinous Rice Cake
The glutinous rice cake, a specialty peculiar in western Hunan, is made of glutinous rice steamed and pounded into paste.
Kiwifruit
Kiwifruit is a superior origin of vitamin C and an excellent source of dietary fiber.
4.Xiangxi food recommendation
Smoked Bacon
It is an epidemic specialty in Xiangxi. The homemade delicacy is usually for spring festival.
Sour Fish
Sour fish is unique to the Miao people. It is an indispensible delicacy when Miao people entertain honored guests.
Rice Tofu
Rice tofu made from rice is a delicious taste in Xiangxi.
5.Yueyang food recommendation
Baling Fishing Banquet
With fish from Dongting Lake as the raw material, the banquet consists of more than 20 fish dishes.
Zhang Guying Oily Bean Curd
Made of soy beans produced by Zhang Guying Village, camellia oil from Weidong Township, and water from Longxian Well, it looks golden in color, soft and amaze in taste.
Junshan Silver Needle Tea
Reputed as “Champion of yellow tea”, it has a wonderful bouquet, which shows repeated scenting, and produces a liquor that is truly delicious.
Junshan Yinzhen (Simplified Chinese:君山银针, "Silver Needle(s) of the Gentleman Mountain") is a Yellow tea produced from Junshan Island of Hunan Province.
Junshan Yinzhen, the yellow tea, is the most exclusive tea among its group of tea. When brew in a glass, the leaf which looks just like the sword moving up and down is described as ‘Silent bamboo forest’. Junshan Yinzhen is the produce using the tea leaves from the tea garden at the Junshan Island, which is located in the middle part of Dongting Lake.
It is said that the best time to harvest the best quality bud for Junshan Yinzhen is the period lasting 14 days in total through the whole year, which falls between 4 days before Qing Ming, occurring on April 4 (Leap years) or April 5 (Other years) of the Gregorian calendar and 10 days after Qingming. The first bud in spring comes with so-called Yu Yue, the tiny leaf attached to the bud, that is to protect bud from cold temperature. This naturally made cover could be a good indication to recognize the high quality Junshan Yinzhen.
To process Yellow Tea, the tea leaf must undergo the unique step called Men-huang, the smothering process which is the slow oxidation process of tea polyphenols such as catechin. As a result, it produces bright yellow color, refreshing flavor and sweet and mellow taste that are the characteristics of yellow tea. Junshan Island produces Junshan Yinzhen in green tea type as well. Sometimes, this is sold as yellow tea in oversea market, as their selling price is cheaper.
Junshan Yinzhen has been produced long time ago, during Tang Dynasty. In the past, the production of tea was only about 0.5 kg per year, up to date, the production only increased to 300kg per year.
In the history, it was believed that during Tang Dynasty, when Wencheng princess married to Tibet, she picked the Junshan tea as one of her trousseau. Junshan Yinzhen became the tribute to emperor since Wu-dai (The Dynasty after Tang), and continued during Song, Ming and Qing Dynasty. During Tang Dynasty, Junshan Yinzhen was called "Yellow tail leathers" (Huang Ling Mao), because when brewed, the yellow bud covered with down was standing up in the glass just like yellow pinion. As recorded in the book Cha-Jing (The Tea Scripture written by Lu Yu)， during Song Dynasty, it was known as "White crane tail leathers" (Bai He Ling), because of this tea was planted at the White Crane Temple (Bai He Si), when brewed using water from White Crane Well (Bai He Jing), it looked like White Crane walking in the water. Besides, because of its white down, it was also called "White down needle" (Bai Mao Jian). It was named as Junshan Yinzhen during Qing Dynasty.
Junshan Yinzhen has won the Gold Prize in year 1956 at the Leipzig Expo； its beautiful appearance and tasting note get a favorable opinion by the people.
In 1957, it was selected as one of the Top Ten tea in China.
In 1972, when China re-gained a chair as a permanent member of United Nation Security Council, Junshan Yinzhen became the only tea to serve the Prime Ministers and Diplomatic Envoys from various countries.
Since 1980, it has been prized as the high grade tea in Hunan Province.
In 1982, it was appraised as the top quality tea by the Commercial Section in China，and in the following year (1983), Junshan Yinzhen was certified as the high grade tea by the Foreign Trade Department of China.
In 2006, Junshan Yinzhen has been selected by the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministryas the National Gift Tea to Russia President Vladimir Putin.
6.Yiyang food recommendation
Preserved Eggs
With milky-white pine bough pattern on its surface, the egg tastes cool, smooth and refreshing.
Anhua Dark Tea
The post-fermented tea gets its name from its color and helps keep fit.
Mashed Tea
Anhua Leicha Tea is a traditional drink of Hakka people. The tea is made from tea leaves, rice, sesame, soybeans, peanuts, salt, dried orange peels powder. It boasts the functions of relieving your thirst and satisfying your appitite.
7.Xiangtan food recommendation
Red-braised Pork
It tastes delicious and was reportedly one of Mao Zedong's favorites.
Spicy Fish Head
A meaty carp head blanketed with a blend of multi-colored chilies.
Binglang(Areca Nut)
It has been a mark of Xiangtan. All residents, no matter business leaders, local officials, ordinary people, may chew the nuts anytime during a day.
8.Zhuzhou food recommendation
Caopo Cured Meat
As a local product of Caopo Township, Youxian County, Zhuzhou, the cured meat is home-made by hanging it beside a stove for quite a long time. The meat looks transparent, with a bright color and a delicious flavour.
Liling Red Peppers
Produced in Hejiaqiao, Nan-xiang Township, Liling County, the red peppers are bright in color, with thick flesh. Such red peppers are very popular both at home and abroad.
Caopo Rice Wine
The rice wine is produced in Caopo Township, Youxian County, Zhuzhou. After rice is brewed, it is sealed and buried underground for five years. Caopo Rice Wine is sweet and tasty, with a delicate scent.
9.Shaoyang food recommendation
Baoqing Pork Blood Ball
As a traditional dish of Shaoyang, it is widely praised for its obvious native flavor.
Wugang Pot-Stewed Dishes
The dishes are marinated and cooked according to special recipes and their special taste brings them a wide reputation.
10.Hengyang food recommendation
Huzi alcohol
The unique flavor and pleasing aroma of the alcohol due to cellaring for years can tantalize taste buds and refresh mind.
Fermented Tofu
Fermented tofu, also called Chinese cheese, is a local specialty produced in Hengyang. It has a special mouthfeel similar to certain dairy product, but a little salty.
11.Loudi food recommendation
Yongfeng chilli sauce
Yongfeng chilli sauce, made from local chili, soybean and special seasonings, is bright in color and appetizing in taste.
Xinhua Sanhe(Triple) Soup
Tender ox tripe, fresh beef slices, ox blood and various condiments cooked in a special way makes the soup a good smell and a spicy and sour taste
Xinhua Duck Cake
With greasy and golden surface, it tastes appetizing and tender with an aftertaste for a long time.
12.Yongzhou food recommendation
Dong'an Chicken
Dong'an Chicken is attractive in shape, color and nutritionally rich. It tastes hot, crisp, sweet, tender and tart.
Jiangyong Taro
Jiangyong taro, containing large amount of starch, protein and vitamins, is a kind of delicacy which can be stewed, fried, braised or stir-fried.
Jiangyong Sweet Pomelo
Jiangyong sweet pomelo is nutritious and delicious with juicy meat and pulp.
13.Chenzhou food recommendation
Linwu Duck
Braised, fried, stewed or even processed into boiled salted duck or dried salted duck, Linwu duck always make mouths water.
Dongjiang Fish
Dongjiang fish is processed elaborately by advanced smokeless technology, tasting tender and pure.
Zixing Bamboo Shoot
Zixing bamboo shoot enjoys a good reputation in China for its delicious taste and fragrance.
14.Huaihua food recommendation
Jingzhou Waxberry
Jingzhou Waxberry enjoys a good reputation at home and abroad. It always becomes a hit at food expos.
Zhijiang duck
Zhijiang duck, a famous specialty food of Dong ethnic group, has perfect combination of color, aroma and taste.
Mayang Stewed Goose
It is a famous dish in Mayang Miao Autonomous County, with beautiful color, nice taste and high nutrition.
