Expats experience traditional Taizhou morning tea culture

The dried tofu slicing skill of a 77-year-old craftsman earns praise from expats. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Seven expatriates in Taizhou visited Haitangchun, a century-old establishment, on April 9, to experience the city's rich intangible cultural heritage and savor traditional Taizhou morning tea.

Jiang Guangyi, the fourth-generation inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage "Jiang's Jumping Noodles", demonstrated the unique noodle-making technique. He positioned himself on the opposite side, employing a wooden stick anchored at one end, using his weight to apply even pressure to the dough. The dough was then rolled into thin sheets and cut into fine strips, resulting in noodles with a firmer texture.

Meanwhile, Liu Mingxi, a 77-year-old provincial-level inheritor of dried tofu slicing skills, showcased his decades of craftsmanship. With nearly 60 years of experience, Liu performed what can be called "microsculpture on the tip of the tongue". With a thin-bladed knife, he sliced a 2-centimeter-thick block of white dried tofu into 30 paper-thin sheets and finely shredded them into threads thin enough to pass through the eye of a needle.

The visitors also enjoyed a variety of signature dishes, including tender poached dried tofu threads, noodles in fish broth, and crab roe buns, accompanied by traditional dim sum and side dishes. Each bite was a delightful experience that earned unanimous praise from the international guests.

"Taizhou morning tea is delicious, and the people here are warm and welcoming. I like this beautiful city," said Lawrence, a British expatriate working in Taizhou. "I'm eager to share my experiences with my friends back home, so they can learn more about China's amazing food and traditional culture."