The heavenly water that carries nostalgia

The heavenly water that carries nostalgia

Liu Zhihong

Fan Changjiang wrote in the book "Northwest Corner of China": "When people in Gansu talk about Tianshui, they are as proud as the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang when they talk about Suzhou and Hangzhou, and think that they are places with beautiful scenery, rich products, and beautiful characters. ”

There are many varieties of Tianshui famous snacks with rich products, among which buckwheat is one of people's favorite foods.

Known as the "first delicacy in Qinzhou" in Tianshui, it is said that it originated in the Han Dynasty and is made of local buckwheat starch, which is known for its fragrant, spicy, cotton and soft. It is said that in the last years of the Western Han Dynasty, when King Kui of Shuoning was dividing up Tianshui, his mother was particularly fond of que and had to eat every few days. Later, after the defeat of the Kui army in western Shu, the cooks in the palace lived in seclusion in Tianshui and operated in the city. Gradually, it entered the lives of the local people.

Nowadays, no matter whether it is spring, summer, autumn or winter, every morning, in the streets and alleys of Tianshui, the places selling croaks are often crowded - red chili oil mixed with yellow and bright croaks, plus more than 20 kinds of spices such as sesame sauce, garlic paste, mustard, balsamic vinegar, etc., the spicy and soft, slightly warm and delicious feeling is really addictive. It should be said that the uniqueness of Tianshui is first of all that it is "unique", except for Tianshui, it is difficult to find this food anywhere in the country. The unique ingredients, unique methods and unique flavors of Tianshui are difficult for foreign chefs to imitate, especially the taste is more difficult to modulate to the local authentic taste.

I remember when I was a child, I often went to my grandmother's house in the countryside, and the best food for those simple villagers to entertain guests was croaking and cold powder. In my impression, Que Que and Liang Fan are "brothers" born of a mother. First, the buckwheat flour is turned into "buckwheat grits", soaked in water, and processed, take its starch and add water to the pot, and cook over low heat. When the consistency is suitable for "cold powder", it is cold powder in the basin; when the starch in the pot is continued to be boiled, forming a thick layer of yellowish and bright, relatively hard pot at the bottom of the pot, it becomes "croak".

The eating method of Tianshui Que is relatively special, which surprises many foreign tourists. The stall owner takes the croak out of the basin and then uses his fingers to crush the croak into small pieces and put it in the bowl, which is a bit puzzling to the out-of-town tourists. However, the Tianshui people have eaten this way for generations. Time flies, and perhaps only what is pinched out with your fingers is the most authentic and authentic taste. In addition, buckwheat contains 8 times more food fiber than people often eat staple noodles and rice, low sugar, low fat, regular food can prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, but also to lose weight, prevent constipation of the best food.

Tianshui is unique among domestic snacks and may have a lot to do with Tianshui's unique geographical environment. Tianshui is located at the confluence of the Two Major River Basins of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River, and has been an important commercial port of the ancient Silk Road since ancient times. Merchants from the south to the north have also brought a rich food culture to Tianshui, and the unique Que Que truly reflects the thick heritage of Tianshui's thousand-year-old food culture from one side.

In September 2008, a large-scale food series on the Silk Road was broadcast on CCTV, with an episode dedicated to three top chefs from China, France and Malaysia tasting and learning to make croaks in Tianshui.

"It is said that there is Suzhou and Hangzhou under heaven, but I don't know that there are also good scenery on Longshang." A song "Tianhe Hot Land" sings about the long cultural history and beautiful scenery of Tianshui. Over the years, the bucket turns to the stars, through the vicissitudes of wind and rain, many people and things have gradually been forgotten, and with its unique style and unforgettable mellow fragrance, it carries the most beautiful memories and nostalgia of Tianshui people, and goes down the river in the long river of history...