Special Local Products of Jiuhua Mountain

Introduction: Misty Fragrant Tea from Jiuhua Mountain enjoys a great reputation, with the tea grown in Min Garden and Tiantai Peak boasting the finest quality. Among its varieties, Huangshixi Maofeng won a gold medal at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It grows in valleys on the eastern side of Tiantai Peak, the summit of Jiuhua Mountain over 1,300 meters above sea level. The finished tea features tight, slender and uniform strips, emerald green color with visible white fine hairs. Its brewed liquor is clear green and transparent, with tender and bright tea leaves at the bottom. When steeped, mist hovers over the cup surface, and the tea delivers a rich, mellow aroma that withstands repeated infusions.

In recent years, three varieties have been awarded Ministry-level and Provincial Excellent Product honors: Jiuhua Maofeng, Ksitigarbha Sparrow Tongue and East Cliff Sparrow Tongue. These premium teas are mainly produced in Min Garden. They feature tender buds tightly wrapped with young leaves, similar to Huangshixi Maofeng. Their liquor is yellowish-green and clear, and the tea leaves unfurl like stretching orchid blossoms in the cup, presenting a unique charm. Drinking famous Jiuhua teas not only quenches thirst but also calms the mind and refreshes the spirit.

Introduction: Jiuhua folding fans are crafted with fine bamboo ribs and black paper fan surfaces coated with golden paint printed with a full landscape of Jiuhua Mountain. Famous poems by literati are inscribed on the reverse side, rendering them elegant and graceful, much favored by tourists.

Jiuhua folding fans ranked among renowned fans as early as the Ming Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, they were cherished by emperors and presented as imperial tributes, matching the poetic line: Resting in your sleeve, it stirs soft breezes when waved. Today, more than 20 styles of Jiuhua folding fans sell well at home and abroad. Since 1981, they have won three major awards in national and provincial folding fan competitions.

Introduction: Polygonatum is a perennial herb of the lily family widely distributed across Jiuhua Mountain, thriving on shaded, moist hillsides and along valley banks. Records from Qingyang County Annals state: “Polygonatum grows everywhere, yet the finest comes from Jiuhua Mountain.”

Edible polygonatum has long been harvested and processed by locals on Jiuhua Mountain. Legend holds that the eminent monk Jin Qiaojue subsisted on it and attained Buddhahood, while Monk Wuxia relied on it to preserve his incorruptible flesh after passing away. Polygonatum boasts extensive medicinal benefits: tonifying the middle energizer and replenishing qi, dispelling wind-dampness, nourishing the five internal organs, strengthening bones and tendons, and relieving chills and fevers. Long-term consumption refreshes the mind, lifts spirits and prolongs life.

Introduction: Crystallized Ginger is a time-honored famous specialty of Jiuhua Mountain. Tender fresh ginger mainly sourced from Tongling undergoes more than a dozen processing procedures including washing, slicing, rinsing, sun-drying, sugaring and pickling.

Jiuhua Crystallized Ginger balances sweet and spicy flavors with no fibrous residue left in the mouth. It relieves coughs and clears phlegm, stimulates appetite and aids digestion, and dispels dampness and cold. It is an ideal treat for guests and a thoughtful gift for relatives and friends. Tourists rush to purchase it, creating persistent supply shortages, and the product has entered international markets.

Introduction: Commonly known as Stone Skin, Stone Mushroom is a primitive lower plant with a sweet, neutral and non-toxic nature. It improves eyesight and nourishes essence. It adheres to massive rock formations at Tiantai Peak, Jiuziyan and other rocky sites across Jiuhua Mountain.

Harvesting stone mushroom is extremely dangerous, as reflected in an ancient local saying: “A stone mushroom gatherer may die and lie unburied.” Its high collection risk drives up its market price. Stewed stone mushroom is the ideal cooling detoxification food in summer.

Introduction: Bamboo shoots are a well-known local product of Jiuhua Mountain. The area abounds in moso bamboo and thin bamboo. Shoots emerge in winter and spring. Villagers collect shoots unlikely to mature into full bamboo, peel off outer husks, boil them, and further process them into dried bamboo shoots and bamboo shoot husks for personal consumption or sale.