Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best?
Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best? During this trip to Wudang Mountain and Shennongjia, I tasted what I think is the best Huangjiu at a local farmer's home in Fang County. It was slightly sweet on the first taste, with a hint of bitterness when savored, and full of mellow aroma. The locals call it Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu. I have been drinking Huangjiu for many years and have tried almost all brands on the market. From what I understand, most commercial Huangjiu brands add caramel color, making the liquor reddish-brown. They often have a medicinal or ashy taste, which I personally dislike. In comparison, Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu is more natural, and I prefer it. In the Fang County Tucheng area, many farm households still brew Huangjiu by hand using traditional methods, making it for their own consumption. Many fellow wine lovers have sent me private messages asking how to buy it. If you need it, you can follow the "Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu" official account.
Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu is what I tasted while visiting Wudang Mountain and Shennongjia at a local farmer's home. After learning more, I found that this Huangjiu has an older history than Shaoxing Huangjiu. As early as the Zhou Dynasty, it was designated as "Fengjiang Imperial Wine." Later, during the Tang Dynasty, it was titled "Di Feng Huangjiu" and became a tribute to the imperial court. Fang County is located inland and has been a national-level poverty-stricken county for many years, with inconvenient transportation. As a result, Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu has remained relatively unknown. It is only well-known within Hubei Province, while outside Hubei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Huangjiu brands are more famous.
Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best? Personally, I believe the best Huangjiu is undoubtedly Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu—no exceptions. Let me clarify that the Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu I refer to is the glutinous rice Huangjiu hand-brewed by local villagers. Almost every household in rural Fang County produces it for their own consumption. The taste and quality far surpass those of major Huangjiu breweries. Locals who drink will often scoop two bowls from their own jars before meals as an appetizer. Whether at funerals or weddings, Huangjiu is an indispensable part of the feast.
I looked up some information online. Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu has a recorded history more than 400 years older than Shaoxing Huangjiu. Below, I will list the historical origins, drinking methods, brewing methods, and health benefits of Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu. Those interested can take a look:
**History of Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu**
According to historical records, as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BC), the people of Fang County had already begun brewing Huangjiu. The glutinous rice wine called "Baimao" was the predecessor of today's Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu. (Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best?)
During the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, the King of Chu sent Yin Jifu (a Grand Tutor of the Zhou Dynasty and author of the *Book of Songs*, who was from Fang County) as an envoy to pay tribute to King Xuan. Yin Jifu brought a jar of "Baimao" (Huangjiu) produced by the people of Fangling and presented it to King Xuan. When the treasure was brought to the court and the jar opened, the hall was filled with fragrance. King Xuan tasted it and praised it greatly, thus designating it as "Fengjiang Imperial Wine." He ordered that the Baimao sent annually from Fangling be distributed in jars of various sizes, using it to enfeoff territories and reward feudal lords. He then appointed Yin Jifu as Grand Tutor to assist in governance. Later, Yin Jifu became a virtuous minister skilled in both civil and military affairs.
In the *Book of Songs*, there is a line: "Baimao pure rice, a girl like jade." Baimao was a tribute from the south, and thus it is the earliest name for Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu. Later, it came to be known as Huangjiu, Imperial Wine, or White Horse Urine, among other names.
After Qin Shi Huang unified China, Fangling became a place of exile for emperors and high officials. Those sent there developed the habit of drinking Huangjiu.
During the Han Dynasty, Fangling Huangjiu became widespread and was used as burial goods for the wealthy. In 1974, a Han tomb was excavated at Qilihe in Fang County, revealing many Huangjiu vessels. One large jar still contained Huangjiu from that time.
In the Tang Dynasty, Huangjiu became even more popular. In the first year of Guangzhai (684 AD), Li Xian, son of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, was demoted by his mother Empress Wu Zetian and sent to Fangzhou as the Prince of Luling. He loved drinking this Huangjiu and was known as a wine connoisseur. He composed a poem: "This wine should only exist in heaven; even the Jade Pool and Celestial Palace cannot match it. If one day I return to Chang'an, I will send 30,000 hu every year." The Prince of Luling offered Fangling Huangjiu as a tribute to Empress Wu Zetian, earning it the name "Imperial Wine" and spreading its fame across the land, associating Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu with royalty. In the first year of Shenlong (705 AD), the Prince of Luling was restored to the throne and designated Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu as an annual tribute. Emperor Zhongzong used Huangjiu to feast his civil and military officials. After drinking, they felt clear-headed and refreshed, with a lingering fragrance in their mouths. All the officials marveled, and one literary official composed a poem on the spot: "Fangzhou's divine spring water, a treasure on the royal table. Favored by the emperor's grace, delighted all officials get drunk." (Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best?)
**Drinking Methods of Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu**
1. **Warm it in winter.** When heated to a warm temperature and sipped, the wine's aroma becomes richer, warming the stomach and body. Even slight heating fills the whole room with fragrance. In winter, heating Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu is the most traditional local method.
*Gentle reminder: Do not heat Huangjiu for too long or too high, or the alcohol will evaporate, defeating the purpose. The optimal tasting temperature for Huangjiu is around 25°C.*
2. **Serve chilled in summer.** In hot weather, iced Huangjiu is a common summer drink. Chilled Huangjiu is very refreshing, with the pale yellow wine and crystal-clear ice cubes complementing each other, pleasing to the eye and palate. (Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best?)
3. **Soak with preserved plums.** Adding preserved plums (mei) to Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu is another preferred method for some locals. The sweet and sour plums enhance the wine's sweetness and smoothness, and also increase its nutritional value.
4. **Add ginger slices.** Adding fresh ginger to Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu can promote blood circulation, strengthen the spleen, and stimulate appetite. It is also effective in preventing colds. According to traditional Chinese medicine, moderate consumption of Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu can promote blood circulation and metabolism. Ginger slices warm the body and dispel dampness. The combination of Huangjiu and ginger is even more beneficial, helping to induce sweating, dispel cold, and promote blood circulation. It is a rare and excellent product. (Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best?)
5. **Soak with bayberries.** Bayberries (yangmei) are rich in various organic acids, vitamin C, and have a tangy taste. Soaking bayberries in Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu can help relieve heat, cut grease, and beautify the skin.
6. **Soak with medicinal herbs.** Soak ginger, wolfberries, red dates, and longan in Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu. A sip warms the stomach and provides excellent health benefits. (Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best?)
7. **Steamed eggs with Huangjiu.** Steamed eggs with Huangjiu—good for men to invigorate blood and replenish qi, and for women to nourish and beautify. The steamed eggs have a tender texture combined with the unique rice aroma of Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu. It is a top tonic.
**Brewing Method of Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu**
After the above seven procedures, the fresh Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu liquid (fuzhi) can be tasted after about a month of fermentation.
Which brand of Huangjiu tastes the best? The above is a sharing of my many years of experience drinking Huangjiu. If you also like additive-free, handcrafted Huangjiu, I recommend trying Fang County Tucheng Huangjiu.
