As noted by Food Exhibition, the Lingnan region has been enduring persistent high temperatures since the start of the "fu" days (the hottest period in summer). A bowl of dark brown, translucent guiling jelly with a subtle medicinal aroma has become a must-have for locals to beat the heat and dispel dampness. This traditional herbal paste, originating from Wuzhou, Guangxi, has been passed down for over a millennium and is now stepping onto the world stage with innovative flair. 

Millennium-Old Heritage: Health Wisdom from Qin Shi Huang to Zhuge Liang 

The history of guiling jelly dates back to the Qin Dynasty. Legend has it that Qin Shi Huang, in pursuit of immortality, ordered alchemists to develop elixirs, which included a combination of turtle shell and poria cocos. After the Qin Dynasty fell, the formula spread among the people. During the Three Kingdoms period, when Zhuge Liang campaigned in the south, his northern soldiers suffered from acclimatization. Locals used guiling jelly as a medicinal remedy to help the army regain strength, ultimately leading to victory. 

Wuzhou, located in the subtropical zone, has a hot and humid climate that easily causes heat toxicity buildup. According to Records of Wuzhou City, by the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, a guiling jelly industry had taken shape locally, with numerous shops operating, making it a daily health food for residents. In 2007, Wuzhou guiling jelly was designated as a national geographical indication product, and in 2021, it was included in the "China-EU Geographical Indications Mutual Recognition List," with its brand value continuously rising. 

Seven-Step Ancient Method: Crafting the Chewy Texture with Dedication 

Yan Yueyue, a national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor, explains that authentic guiling jelly strictly follows the "seven-step paste-making method": 

1. Selected ingredients: We strictly choose turtles weighing over 250 grams, and match them with authentic medicinal materials such as poria cocos, licorice, and angelica dahurica.

2. Deodorization treatment: After removing the internal organs of the turtle, it is carefully boiled to get rid of the fishy smell.

3. Herb extraction: Smash gardenia and cut mesona chinensis into sections to fully release their medicinal effects.

4. Refining and purification: Repeatedly boil to extract effective ingredients.

5. Fine filtration: Remove impurities and retain the essence.

6. Cooking and shaping: Add rice milk and mesona chinensis extract, control the heat and stir until it becomes thick.

7.Cooling and setting: Let it stand and solidify into a chewy paste.

"The cross-linking reaction between mesona chinensis and rice slurry is crucial – a little more makes it too hard, a little less makes it fall apart," emphasizes Yan Yueyue. 

Modern Innovation: From Street Stalls to Global Tables 

Traditional guiling jelly was mostly produced in "front shop, back workshop" setups, but today it has achieved industrialized production: 

Process upgrading: Retain the ancient formula while introducing automated cooking and filling equipment to ensure stable quality. 

Product diversification: Develop canned and ready-to-eat bowl-packed versions, and launch new flavors like pandan and coffee. 

Channel expansion: Sell overseas through e-commerce platforms, allowing overseas Chinese to relive the taste of their hometown. 

"We’ve adjusted part of the formula to better suit modern people’s constitutions," says Yan Yueyue. Food Exhibition has learned that Wuzhou guiling jelly now has an annual output exceeding 10,000 tons, exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States, becoming a "delicious business card" for spreading Lingnan culture. 

From a "military medicinal remedy" during Zhuge Liang’s southern campaign to today’s summer relief treasure, guiling jelly carries the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine’s "food as medicine" concept. Through preserving tradition while innovating, this black "jelly" is embracing a new lease of life. 

If you would like to learn more about the food industry, please visit the SIAL China website for more information.

Source: China News Network

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