Amid the lush mountains and clear waters on the border of Hunan and Jiangxi, Qiaotou Township in Guidong County, Hunan Province, deeply explores the ecological value of "two leaves and one bamboo" (tea leaves, large-leaved bamboo leaves or zongzi leaves, and moso bamboo), actively seeking innovative collision of the thousand-year heritage of Hakka cuisine and modern industry. The township has nurtured the secret flavor of rice powder that can be cooked with everything, integrating traditional ingredients with modern cultural tourism to drive new momentum in rural revitalization. This not only spreads the fragrance of Hakka flavors far and wide but also writes a vivid chapter on empowering rural development through gastronomy.

"Rice Powder" as a Medium, Unlocking Diverse Expressions of Hakka Cuisine

As the core carrier of Hakka culinary culture, rice powder in Qiaotou Township is endowed with infinite possibilities. Using high-quality rice as the raw material and combining distinctive ingredients of "two leaves and one bamboo," the township has developed a series of delicacies that embody both traditional flavor and modern creativity.

"Steamed Goose with Rice Powder Wrapped in Zongzi Leaves" is one of the representative delicacies. This dish uses fresh local rice powder and a secret-recipe seasoning oil, tied with zongzi leaves and steamed. The clear fragrance of the leaves and the smoothness of the rice powder complement each other perfectly, making it a signature dish that tourists must order. Meanwhile, the "Tea-Fragrant Zongzi," which incorporates ecological black tea into glutinous rice and rice powder, achieved sales exceeding 230,000 in 2024, becoming a sought-after delight and driving sales of related specialty products to over 6.8 million yuan.

Traditional snacks like rice cakes and vegetables pickled in rice wine have also seized the momentum of "Travel in Guidong, Eat in Qiaotou" to regain vitality. At the 2024 Hakka Culture and Food Festival, innovative dishes blending tea and bamboo elements, such as Changminggan (rice cereal) and Linglong Tea Wine, made their debut, attracting over 100,000 visitors from Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, directly boosting the sale of agricultural specialty products by 13.8 million yuan. The versatile forms of rice powder not only retain the Hakka people's appreciation for ingredients but also showcase the modern vitality of traditional craftsmanship.

Building an Industrial Foundation, Establishing a Complete Chain for Ecological Ingredients

Qiaotou Township's "secret of flavor" depends on a solid industrial foundation. The township has established a year-round industrial pattern of "spring tea, summer zongzi leaves, autumn bamboo, winter bamboo shoots," boasting 32,000 mu (about 2,133 ha.) of tea gardens, 12,000 mu (800 ha.) of zongzi leaf bases, and 20,000 mu (about 1,333 ha.) of moso bamboo forests. This guarantees the quality and supply of ingredients from the source, forming a complete chain from cultivation and processing to sales.

On the ingredient supply side, zongzi leaf cultivation uses idle land beside houses and forests, turning "wasteland into green space," achieving a net income of 3,000 yuan per mu and becoming an important way for villagers to increase their earnings. Over 50 tea enterprises, 10 zongzi leaf processing factories, and four bamboo shoot processing factories have created jobs for more than 4,000 local residents, allowing them to "have work throughout the year and increase their income every season."

The moso bamboo industry, through diversified development of bamboo woven handicrafts, bamboo charcoal, and other products, exports products to Europe and other regions, with an annual output value exceeding 100 million yuan. The verdant bamboo-covered mountains have become a "green bank." This model of "solidifying primary industry, extending secondary industry, and integrating tertiary industry" lays a firm foundation for the gastronomic economy, providing a steady and continuous support.

Some products displayed at the "Travel in Guidong, Eat in Qiaotou" Food Festival (Photo provided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee of Guidong County)

Integrating Agriculture and Tourism, Creating Rustic Village Kitchens for Hakka Delicacies

The deep integration of gastronomy and cultural tourism is the key to Qiaotou Township's success. Having hosted the Hakka Culture and Food Festival for two consecutive years, the township's brand effect of "Travel in Guidong, Eat in Qiaotou" has become increasingly prominent. Tourists can not only experience intangible cultural heritage skills like tea picking and zongzi making but also savor a culinary feast within the "Qiaotou Hakka Banquet" that combines seven major cuisine series. In 2024, the township's catering revenue increased by 52% year-on-year, and it became common for holiday dining tables to require advance booking.

Cuisine has also become a "catalyst" for returning home to start businesses. Lin Wenping, a villager from Shangyi Village, keenly seized the business opportunity, combines Hakka zongzi with ecological black tea to create the "Tea-Fragrant Zongzi" which has annual sales of 230,000, and brings together over 50 specialty products to establish the "Xiangqiaoqing" brand, embarking on a new journey of entrepreneurship and prosperity. Guo Xubing, the owner of Minshun Restaurant, has upgraded his kitchen equipment to turn Hakka crispy pork and Steamed Goose with Rice Powder Wrapped in Zongzi Leaves into internet-famous dishes, attracting tourists from Hunan and Jiangxi who come specifically for them. Cuisine has become not only a cultural symbol but also a link connecting urban and rural areas and stimulating consumption.

Chinese source: China National Radio