Zuogezhuang Guo Family Rice Cake Awarded Wen'an County Intangible Cultural Heritage

Zuogezhuang has a long history. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it had already formed a village, located in the land south of Yan and north of Zhao. In ancient times, rivers and lakes converged, with blue waves rippling, lush grass and abundant fish, and the fragrance of rice and wheat wafted.

The rice cake was first created during the Yongle reign of the Ming dynasty and has been passed down for five generations. The rice cake is made from high-quality rice flour as the raw material, supplemented with brown sugar, bean paste, and other ingredients. The production process is meticulous and refined. The finished product appears snow-white and delicate, like sparkling white jade, pleasing to the eye even before tasting. When eaten, it is sweet and fragrant, soft and moderately fluffy, suitable for all ages, and has the effects of strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach, and beautifying the skin.

The Guo family's rice cake production began during the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty and has been passed down for five generations. It continuously innovates upon the original rice cake making techniques, selecting raw materials carefully and updating varieties, while always adhering to traditional handmade processes. The finished product is elastic, with a whole-grain texture when eaten, yet still smooth and chewy. Eaten hot, it fills the air with a delicate fragrance, leaving a long-lasting aftertaste. (Contributed by Guo Wanlu, Dean of Mofo Caotang Painting and Calligraphy Academy)