Tanyang Lambskin (Tanyangpi) 滩羊皮
Ningxia Rugs (Ningxia Ditan) 宁夏地毯
Qingtong Gorge Willow Weave (Qingtongxia Liubian) 青铜峡柳编
Shizuishan “Yingchun Kettle” (Shizuishan Yingchunhu) 石嘴山“迎春壶”
Eight Treasure Tea (Babao Cha) 八宝茶
Medlar (Gouqi) 枸杞
Medlar, the red treasure, is a small fruit that grows on a bushy tree. The medlar is said to be ‘rotten before it is ripe’, referring to the fact that it becomes edible only after first being softened by frost, or by storage, given enough time. Widely believed to have health benefits, the Ningxia medlar is regarded as among the best of Chinese varieties.
Licorice Root (Gancao) 甘草
A staple of Traditional Chinese Medicine, licorice root is a widely used detoxifying agent. A common flavor for candy in the West, licorice is regarded more as a medicine in China, and is often found as a principal ingredient in lozenges used to treat throat pain, due to its soothing effects.
Helan Stone (Helanshi) 贺兰石
Helan stone is well known for being made into inkstones, used in Chinese calligraphy. The stone is a deep purple with green flecks that form interesting patterns. Helan is believed to be ideal for storing and releasing ink when wet, for preventing ink from drying out, and for being less damaging to the delicate bristles of a fine calligraphy brush.
Tanyang Lambskin (Tanyangpi) 滩羊皮
Unlike sheepskin products that can be found in other regions of China like Mongolia and Tibet, the lambskin from Ningxia comes exclusively from animals 35 to 40 days old, resulting in a very fine, supple leather. The industry in the area has developed quite a bit, and currently makes use of advanced technology and chemical preparations for the leathers, which has reduced costs for consumers. Tanyang lambskin is light, very warm and of extremely high quality.
Star Jelly (Facai) 发菜
Often found at feasts, celebrations and holiday gatherings, star jelly is a dish recognizable for its long black strands. Star jelly is a variety of algae, the Ningxia variety being among the best, with protein content over 20 percent.
Ningxia Rugs (Ningxia Ditan) 宁夏地毯
Ningxia carpets are recognized as one of the 5 different varieties of rugs produced in China. Coloring in Ningxia rugs is more subtle than China’s other regional carpets, and the wool is known for being extremely soft. Ningxia carpets frequently fetch higher prices that their Tibetan, Mongolian, Xinjiang or Tianjin counterparts, due in part to the fine quality of lambswool that is used in their production.
Qingtong Gorge Willow Weave (Qingtongxia Liubian) 青铜峡柳编
The woven wicker baskets from Ningxia were originally produced to hold soil in order to reinforce a weir that was being used to raise the water level of the Yellow River. Eventually, individual households began to produce these baskets in order to be used for daily chores. Today, they are hand woven and sold in a variety of sizes and shapes that cater to various needs. Light, strong and flexible, these willow baskets are a very localized product with an interesting history.
Shizuishan “Yingchun Kettle” (Shizuishan Yingchunhu) 石嘴山“迎春壶”
The Yingchun Kettle is a graceful and slender vessel for boiling water. Often decorated, these glazed porcelain kettles are renowned for being sturdy enough to put directly over the heat, day after day, to boil water. The Shizuishan porcelain factory was established in the 1930s, and has earned a reputation for producing fine examples of the Yingchun kettle that have won awards. The factory also produces a range of other bowls and vessels and utensils in porcelain.
Eight Treasure Tea (Babao Cha) 八宝茶
Also known as ‘san pao’ tea, this drink is a traditional beverage of the Hui and Dongxiang peoples on the Silk Road, and is traditionally served to guests and relatives. Eight treasures is made with sugar, medlar, dates, walnuts, longan, sesame, raisins and apple slices. The tea is sweet to the taste, and when made properly has a distinct flavor of dates. It is believed to have a number of health benefits, such as moistening the lungs, clearing the larynx, and nourishing the yin. It should be served in the traditional Chinese three-piece sanpaotai tea bowl.
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