Appendix:Selected Health Foods from Shennongjia
2018-11-24
“Chinese Honey”
Chinese Honey in Shennongjia,one of China’s Protected Geographical Indication Products,is made by Chinese bees that only live in China.The honey is rich in amino acids,vitamins A and B,and contains microelements,such as calcium,phosphorus,iron,and so on,which help people to maintain health,improve intelligence,preserve their look,nourish the liver and spleen,strengthen the immune system,and promote children’s growth.
Honey produced in 8 towns(Songbai,Yangmu,Muyu,Hongpin,Xinhua,Songluo,Dajiuhu,Xiagu)of the Shennongjia Forestry District all belong to National Protected Geographical Indications Products.
Shennongjia’s Potato
“People in the mountains wear cotton-padded clothing in August.This is a different world ruled by coldness.This is also the time when the potatoes are ripe,and all families in the village can happily have enough food.”These lines were written by Chen Hao,a county magistrate in the Qing Dynasty.In his poem,the “potato”refers to the well-known Shennongjia potato.The potatoes grow on the hillsides at an altitude of almost 1,000 meters,where the natural conditions such as sunshine,cool climate,good rainfall,fertile soil,and large temperature variation are all suitable to help crops accumulate nutrients.Meanwhile, high-altitude conditions also slow potatoes’degeneration and help maintain their original flavor.As a result,Shennongjia potatoes are very famous for their rich nutrient substance,soft texture,sweet taste,and long-term preservation.
Shennongjia potatoes are also known as “longevity food.”According to the people living in Taping Village,their secret of longevity is partly related to these potatoes.In 2014,General Administration of Quality Supervision,Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China formally approved the Shennongjia potato as a National Protected Geographical Indication Product.
Wild Chestnut
Wild chestnuts of Shennongjia,a National Protected Geographical Indication Product,are one of the special local products of the Shennongjia Forestry District.These chestnuts,which naturally grow up in the mountains,are very delicious and not polluted by any pesticides.The wild chestnut is protected by National Protection of Geographical Indications in 8 towns(Songbai,Yangmu,Muyu,Hongpin,Xinhua,Songluo,Dajiuhu,Xiagu)of Shennongjia Forestry District.
Muyu Green Tea
Muyu Green Tea,a National Protected Geographical Indication Product,is well known among visitors all over the world.It has good markets in international areas such as Japan and Korea.The origin of Muyu Green Tea,at an average elevation of 1,200 meters and with an 88.6%forest coverage rate,is the town of Muyu in Shennongjia,where the air is fresh,the stream is clean,and the soil is rich.Shrouded in clouds and mists,this place is free from pollution from any industrial and mining enterprises.
“Shennong Qifeng”and“Shennong Bifeng”are famous brands of Muyu Green Tea.The former brand was formally recognized as the“Famous Tea in Hubei Province,China.”At present,more than 70%of tea produced in Shennongjia is from Muyu.
Preserved Meat
Preserved Meat in Shennongjia is a tasty food for hosting guests.When the guests have dinner with their host,the longer the served meat was preserved,the more friendly the host is.During the important festivals,every local family will preserve some pork,beef,sausage,pork liver,pork chops,hooves,and hang them under their roofs.
Indigenous Wine
The Indigenous Wine of Shennongjia is made in the unique ecological environment of the Shennongjia Forestry District.In the process of making the wine,the raw materials are added into the natural water;meanwhile,a few useful elements extracted from medicinal plants are also mingled into it.Thus this kind of wine can be less harmful to the liver;it is a pioneer in China’s wine market as a “healthy white spirit.”
Water of Shennongjia(Senonca)
The natural and clean Water of Shennongjia(Senonca)is collected in Longgou Village of Songbai Town.The water is ecological and rich in mineral substance such as strontium,kalium,sodium,calcium,and meta-acid silicon.Among them,strontium has an effect on enhancing bones.It also contains anti-oxidants and immunity enhancement from its alkalinity.The Water of Shennongjia is a rare naturaldrink.
The King of Fruit:Holboellia latifolia Wall
Holboellia latifolia Wall is called“the king of fruits.”This fruit has a gracious appearance with color of purplish red or bright yellow.Its fruit is large,weighing from 150g to 500g.The tender flesh of the fruit is white but transparent.Of course,the taste is what really matters.The fruit is sweet and delicious;moreover,it is rich in protein,amino acids,vitamins,and mineralsubstances.
Magnolia Berries
As a common traditional Chinese medicine,magnolia berries(or five-flavor-fruits),have been frequently treated as a popular tonifying food.When they ripen in autumn,the fruits can be picked off the branches and dried under the sun,or stirred with vinegar and honey,and then steamed before dried.The processed fruits can be used to drink with water,or to cook soup or congee.Meanwhile,as a kind of Chinese medicinal raw material with five flavors,the fruit has effects on introducing astringency,supplementing qi,promoting the production of body fluids and tonifying the kidneys.Therefore,they are quite popular among visitors in Shennongjia.
Carya Cathayensis
Walnuts contain a wealth of nutrient substances such as protein,vitamin,mineral elements,and fat.Moreover,the unsaturated fatty acids mainly existing in the fat is beneficial to the prevention of angiorrhexis by softening the blood vessel walls.Compared with walnuts,Carya Cathayensis in Shennongjia possesses much richer nutrient substance.The protein contents reach 7.8%to 9.6%of the later’s flesh,and has an amino acid content of 25%.Beyond that,Carya Cathayens contains 22 kinds of mineral elements,possessing the function of enhancing memory,tonifying the kidneys,and moistening the lungs.
“Cat’s Feces”,or“the Dead’s Fingers”
After ripen,the fruits are juicy and bluish violet,which look like cats’waste in shape,and are thus called “Cat’s Feces.”Some people think their appearance is terrifying,so they are also called“the Dead’s Fingers.”Despite the shape,they taste rather sweet.Their flesh contains rich sugars,protein,fat,pectin,and vitamins.They can be eaten immediately or processed for refining sugar,making wine,jelly,and jam.
NaturalSyrup:Cattle’s-heart-shaped Persimmon
Cattle’s-heart-shaped Persimmon is not only large but also seedless.It is juicy and sweet,and tastes tender,fresh,and delicious.The persimmon contains high contents of vitamin.Compared with persimmons,dried persimmons possess higher sweetness,less fiber,and a soft texture.If the dried fruit is put into a cup of cold water and stirred,it melts into a syrup with a distinctive flavor.
Wild Plum
Wild Plums in Shennongjia do not mature until September.Its fruits are round,sweet and delicious,in which a few kinds of nutritional components are contained.Meanwhile it possesses an astonishing amount of antioxidants,so it has the function of maintaining beauty,as well as moistening and smoothing skin.It can be called an anti-aging,disease-preventing“super fruit.”
附:神农架养生食品选介
蜜中极品“中华蜜”
神农百花蜜,是神农架地理标志产品,为中国特有蜂种——中华蜂采百花酿制而成。神农百花蜂蜜含有大量人体所需的氨基酸、维生素A、B群和人体所需的钙、磷、铁、锌等微量元素,长期食用可健身增智、驻颜美容、养肝护脾、增强免疫、促进儿童生长发育。
林区松柏镇、阳日镇、木鱼镇、红坪镇、新华镇、大九湖镇、宋洛乡、下谷坪乡等8个乡镇范围内所产的蜂蜜都属于地理标志产品。
中华小蜜蜂的蜂箱
小洋芋大世界
“山深八月已披绵,此地高寒别有天,正是村中洋芋熟,家家饱啖说丰年”。这是清朝知县陈豪写的诗歌,诗里所说的洋芋便是远近闻名的神农架洋芋。神农架洋芋生长在海拔千米上下的山坡地,因日照充足,气候凉爽,雨量充沛,土质肥沃,昼夜温差大,非常有利于神农架洋芋营养物质的积累,高海拔也使洋芋品种退化缓慢,保证了其原始风味,从而形成了神农架洋芋营养物质含量极高、质地细腻、粉甜而香和耐贮藏的特点,深受广大游客青睐。
神农架洋芋还有“长寿食品”的美誉。神农架著名长寿村——塔坪村村民长寿的秘诀便是食用洋芋。2014年,国家质检总局正式批准神农架洋芋为国家地理标志保护产品。
神农架保健品
神农架酒
骑行大九湖(谈丽红摄)Cycling around Dajiu Lake(Photo by Tan Lihong)
神农架野板栗
神农架野板栗味好,香浓,是林区特产,地理标志保护产品。神农架野生板栗生长在大山之中,自然生长、成熟,没有任何农药成分。
林区松柏镇、阳日镇、木鱼镇、红坪镇、新华镇、大九湖镇、宋洛乡、下谷坪乡共8个乡镇现辖行政区域是神农架野板栗地理标志产品保护范围。
木鱼绿茶香国外
深山云雾出好茶。木鱼镇平均海拔1200米,森林覆盖率88.4%,常年云雾缭绕,区域内无工矿企业,无“三废”污染,空气清新,水质清洁,土壤肥沃,造就了木鱼绿茶独特的品质,产品深受各地游客青睐,畅销日、韩等国,是神农架国家地理标志产品。
“神农奇峰”、“神农碧峰”等是木鱼绿茶的名优品牌。其中“神农奇峰”茶于1992年被定为“湖北名茶”。目前,神农架林区茶叶70%以上出产于木鱼镇。
腊肉餐餐有
在神农架,腊肉也是逢年过节的必备菜肴,家家户户都会熏制一些腊猪肉、腊牛肉、腊肠、腊肝、腊排骨、腊蹄子等,它们成为屋檐下最美的风景。腊肉也是招待贵客的佳美食物。腊肉熏制的时间越久远,越能说明主人对客人的热情。
神农架水Water of Shennongjia(Senonca)
神农架五味子Magnolia Berries
神农坛鸟瞰(吴志伟摄)A bird’s eye view of the Shennong Altar(Photo by Wu Zhiwei)
神农架酒元生态
依托神农架林区独特的生态环境、天然水源和原生态的酿酒原料进行白酒酿造,利用林区丰富的植物药材资源进行产品研发,在酒体中添加多味健康功能因子,有效减少饮酒对肝的损伤,开创了中国生态白酒的先河。
神农架水(Senonca)
神农架水取自神农架松柏镇龙沟村,是难得的天然饮品,富含矿物质锶、钾、钠、钙、镁、偏酸硅等矿物质,天然弱碱,锶元素具有强化骨骼、抗氧化、防衰老作用,其弱碱性还有助于人体提高免疫力,是难得的天然饮品。
水果大王八月炸
八月炸,果实较大,一般重150~500g,与猕猴桃并称野生水果大王。其果面紫紅色或明黄色,果肉乳白透明,肉质细嫩,浓甜可口,香气迷人,富含蛋白质、氨基酸、维生素及矿物质等营养成分。
补益食材五味子
作为一种较为常见的普通中药材,五味子是很多人喜爱的补益食材。秋季,将成熟后的五味子除去果枝晒干,生用或经醋蜜拌蒸,晒干备用,可用来泡水、煲汤、煮粥等。五味子为中药,有收敛固涩、益气生津、补肾宁心之功效,因辛、甘、酸、苦、咸五味具备,又为野生果实,深受神农架人及游客喜爱。
灵山秀水(周智明摄)A river fullof life(Photo by Zhou Zhiming)
强心健脑山核桃
核桃的营养相当丰富,蛋白质含量达到7.8%到9.6%,氨基酸含量达25%,所含油脂主要是不饱和脂肪酸,此外,还含有维生素和22种矿物元素,对软化血管,预防血管破裂十分有益,并有健脑、润肺强肾之功效。
死人手指猫儿屎
果实成熟后,呈蓝紫色,多浆汁,因形状很像猫儿拉的屎,得名“猫儿屎”,又因其外表很吓人,所以还有个很恐怖的名字——“死人手指”。它虽面貌丑陋,但香甜如蜜,果肉中富含糖类、蛋白质、脂肪、果胶、维生素等,可供鲜食和加工制糖、酿酒、果冻、果酱等。
天然糖浆牛心柿
神农架无核牛心柿子个大、肉细、汁多、味甜、无核,含有丰富的维生素,制成的牛心柿饼甜度大、纤维少、质地软、吃起来香甜可口。若将柿饼放在冷水中搅拌,能化成糖浆,别有风味。
超级水果野李子
李子中抗氧化剂含量高得惊人,堪称是抗衰老、防疾病的“超级水果”。神农架野生李子9月份才成熟。其果实饱满圆润,玲珑剔透,形态美艳,口味甘甜,含有多种营养成分,有养颜美容、润滑肌肤的作用。