Swelled sugar rice sweetens the Spring Festival in Du'an

Grandma Wei sifts through the rice, an important part of the Mihuatang-making process. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/xinhuanet.com.cn]

After being soaked in spring water for one hour, the rice will be steamed in a wooden bucket. Wei makes sure the rice is tender and ready for the next step. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/xinhuanet.com.cn]

Wei and her daughters pour the steamed rice out of the bucket and spread it out on a mat to let it dry and swell. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/xinhuanet.com.cn]