Xuheng Hotel | Spring Flowers Bloom, Let’s Have Some Tasty Little Dishes

Spring breeze greens the southern shore once more, temperatures warm, and before you know it, the season of renewal is upon us.

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Life in nature begins to stir — new branches sprout green buds, flowers burst into tender petals, and the world brims with vitality. In such an atmosphere, even the taste buds seem eager, longing to savor the first fresh flavors of the season.

'On the hilltop, emerald trees tune the warbler's tongue; on the hillside, wild vegetables draw yellow butterflies.' Yi County boasts a great variety of wild greens, delicious whether steamed or stir-fried. So the question is: what kind of 'small dish' will win over the most discerning palates?

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If there's one emblematic fresh taste of spring, it has to be shepherd's purse.

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'In town, peach and plum blossoms worry over wind and rain; spring is in the shepherd's purse blooming by the stream.' Shepherd's purse is the most common wild green, richly fragrant and wonderfully savory, with benefits for digestion and lowering cholesterol.

In Yandu Ancient City, this delicacy comes in many forms. Simply stir-fried, it graces the table like a breeze from the fields, full of freshness amid heartier dishes. Or tucked inside chewy dumpling wrappers, it collides with fresh meat for layers of umami.

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And spring wouldn't be complete without asparagus, the 'king of vegetables.'

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'Spring breeze over reedy isles, hidden tides calm; tender purple-green shoots sprout anew.' Crisp, tender, and sweet asparagus makes spring resonate on the taste buds.

At Xuheng Hotel in Yandu Ancient City, there's a dish called Qinshan Luyu. It uses the most natural mountain asparagus, paired with fresh celery, to create an elegant jade-white dish that's light and refreshing.

Asparagus offers essential amino acids, while celery helps lower blood pressure. Combined on one plate, they add a healthy touch to delicious flavors.

You've probably tasted red-edged Chinese toon leaves and crunchy purslane, but few have had the chance to try wild 'tree bark' from western Yunnan.

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In Yi County, Hebei, authentic Yunnan cuisine is rare, but luckily Xuheng Hotel's chef hails from Yunnan. The Dianxi Wild Tree Bark isn't real bark; it's a kind of moss from the primeval forests of the 'Three Parallel Rivers' area in western Yunnan.

The texture is unique: crisp on the bite, yet the more you chew, the stronger its distinctive aroma grows, utterly addictive.

If lush green plants are nature's feast for the eyes, then these verdant wild greens are nature's gift to the palate. In this gentle, breezy spring, savor a mouthful of wild greens and let their freshness fill body and soul.