Hi everyone, my name is Tong.
Today we are in Xiaying District of Tainan City.
Xiaying is well known for its agricultural cultivations.
As you can see here behind me,
this is actually a field of black beans,
and black beans is actually the ingredient for black bean sauce,
which is one of the three most important treasures of this district.
Xiaying is also known for its goose meat and silk
which will later be turned into blankets.
Today we are going to take you around and explore this area.
Let’s go discover some more!
To fully learn about the three treasures of Xiaying,
we are at the agricultural exhibition center
operated by the Xiaying District Farmers Association.
Here I am at Xiaying’s agricultural exhibition center.
I am here to learn more about the district.
For example, here, it tells you about the evolution of this district,
which actually evolved from an agricultural land.
Here, you can learn about the geographical location of this area
and Xiaying is actually located on the northeast part of Tainan City.
And here, they tell you about some attractions within this district.
In this museum and exhibition center,
you can actually learn more about this area,
especially the three most precious jewels they have,
which are goose meat, silk, and black beans.
Let’s go!
The first of the three treasures in Xiaying District is silk.
Silk has been a huge economical resource in Xiaying
ever since the silk factory opened in 1973.
Behind me on this wall,
you can actually see the process of how silk is turned into blankets.
Hopefully we can also see that later.
Here on these walls,
this one also tells you the different types of mulberry trees.
And this one tells you the different types of silk worms.
Let’s go find out more.
The second treasure of Xiaying District is black beans.
Here is an introduction of black beans.
And later we are actually going to see some black bean fields,
the plantations.
And also, to see how black beans are turned into black bean soysauce.
So that’s going to be really exciting.
But I just want to point out that here on this wall,
there are specific types of black beans that are only grown in Tainan.
Here you can also see some health benefits of black beans.
Oooh, this looks really nice.
Wow! There are even spring rolls.
Oh my God!
The third treasure of Xiaying District is goose meat.
Geese are actually able to live in harsh environments
and they live longer than ducks also.
So later I’m really excited to try some goose meat myself.
Xiaying’s agricultural exhibition center
actually allows visitors to experience
how silk is turned into blankets.
So let’s go find out more!
This is finished, right?
Yes. And add the last few layers?
Three layers.
Yes. Then we want to add a cover to the blankets.
Lastly, this is the thread.
Each blanket is sewed 50 times.
Sewed 50 times for holding it together better?
That is correct.
This is actually the first time to witness
how silk is turned into silk blankets.
And you see all this process requires lots of details and attention also.
All of this hard work only turns into one single blanket.
So it’s really incredible that, these ladies
have worked in this industry for over 30 years.
The making of black bean sauce is actually quite simple.
First, you lay the beans out in the sunlight for them to soak the sunlight.
Second step, you cook them in these machines behind me.
And after they are fully cooked,
you can finally dry them with these fans.
After four to six months when these fermentations are ready,
they will be delivered to a more modernized factory
for further process of the making of black bean sauce.
And actually this place right here,
not only do they produce black bean sauce,
they also make black bean tea.
Next we are going to a black bean sauce factory
for the next step of the production,
where the process has been modernized.
Walking in here,
I can immediately smell the strong scent of black bean sauce.
It smells just like soy sauce except better.
Right here, right now,
I am in this factory that makes black bean soy sauce in Xiaying District.
This place is actually operated by Xiaying Farmers’ Association.
Black beans are planted here and produced here.
So it’s completely local.
Let’s go find out how it’s done.
Let me introduce the process of making black bean soy sauce to you.
Starting from unprocessed fermented sauce,
we would go through several stages.
First, we use steam to drive out the smell of fermentation.
During the stage of fermentation, some bean powder is produced as well.
Therefore, we need to filter it.
After filtering, we would add flavor to the sauce.
Then it is the second filter.
Just like before,
we need to wait for one week.
After it is filtered again,
we can start packaging.
This is not the last step?
No, we need to sterilize it also,
so that it ensures the safety and hygiene of our products.
During sterilization,
it is necessary to calculate the correct temperature and time.
If the temperature is too high,
the protein will be denatured.
From back at the exhibition center,
where I learned about the traditional way
of making black bean soy sauce,
until now where I just finished my tour in this very modernized factory.
Not only did I see the birth of a product,
but I also see the value of black beans to the people of Xiaying
and how much they appreciate these black beans.
I’m really happy that I got to see the whole process of it.
Plus, I got a gift which is so touching!
On to our next stop.
In 1979,
the Xiaying District’s Farmers Association
established a goose production and marketing group
to actively promote the local goose farming industry
and increase the quality and reputation of local goose meat,
which has been distributed to many areas in Taiwan.
Besides supplying meat products,
the local goose farming industry has become culinary-focused
in response to the growing demand
of the local tourism industry.
Goose meat has now become
a must-have local delicacy in Xiaying.
Right now I just arrived
in one of the most delicious
and well-known restaurants in Xiaying District
to taste some geese dishes.
And here I have Ms. Ciou today here with me
to introduce to me about these dishes.
The smoked tea goose actually does not have any tea,
it is just presented in the color of tea.
So tea is only the color.
Yes, it is simply an adjective.
We use brown sugar to smoke the meat,
and afterwards refrigerated it,
because this process better preserves the smoked taste.
Yes, so usually we serve this dish cold.
This dish is a combination of alcoholic-braised goose meat,
including the goose heart, goose liver, and goose stomach.
It is very good, I love it.
This one is my personal favorite.
The goose rice blood cake is rich in flavors.
It is a must-try every time I come around.
After the introduction of the entire table of local dishes,
I’m so ready to try some.
You can really taste the smokeness of this goose meat.
It was actually smoked by brown sugar.
And it’s also a cold dish so it mixes all really well again.
Very amazing.
This one is sesame-based.
Personally, I am a huge fan of sesame.
Smells very good, right?
This dish is actually goose blood mixed with rice.
The reason why it’s so special is that
it’s mixed with sesame oil and it smells really good.
And it goes really well also. It’s amazing.
The second one already.
They also added this old ginger so it brings out the taste even more.
After learning about the three treasures of Xiaying District,
I can understand why people here, the locals,
are proud and should be proud of their agricultural advances.
Later, we are going to travel to more destinations in this area,
so stay with us to discover more.