A morning ritual in Taizhou city – located in East China's Jiangsu province – continues to capture the hearts and taste buds of locals and visitors alike.
Known as Taizhou morning tea, this tradition offers a delightful array of flavors that kickstarts the day with gastronomic happiness.
Consisting of a refreshing cup of tea, delightful boiled tofu strips, three iconic breakfast items – buns, steamed dumplings and shaomai (a traditional Chinese dim sum) – and a comforting bowl of fish soup noodles, Taizhou morning tea embodies the real essence of a fulfilling breakfast.
Among the highlights are renowned crab-filled buns and yangcao buns from the city's Hailing district, both representing the region's culinary excellence.
Hailing district's abundant waterways provide the perfect environment for high-quality freshwater crabs, ensuring the exquisite taste of the buns.
Locals take particular pride in using locally sourced ingredients, including the finest crab meat and roe, resulting in a delectable filling that tantalizes the taste buds.
People just adore the crab-filled buns with their thin skins and thick fillings. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
In contrast, yangcao buns boast a unique fragrance derived from the yangcao – or Medicago polymorpha L. – a resilient plant that requires no pesticides or fertilizers to thrive. With their uplifting taste and vibrant green color, to many yangcao buns just symbolize springtime, offering a delightful sensory experience.
Yangcao buns are made by hand in Taizhou. [Photo/WeChat account: tztour]
As spring unfolds in the city, visitors are able to savor the beauty of the peach blossoms as they indulge in the flavors of Taizhou morning tea. All in all, the combination of the crab roe's richness and the yangcao's sweetness promises foodies a culinary sojourn filled with joy and contentment.
