Winter Traditions: Crafting Delicate Soy Skins in Jinhua

As winter blankets Xucun village in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, local residents are embracing an age-old craft: making tofu skin.

The process begins with slowly thickening soy milk in a traditional earthen stove, allowing a thin skin to form on the surface. Using bamboo sticks, the villagers carefully lift the delicate layer and hang it on ropes to air-dry under the crisp winter sun.

This centuries-old tradition is deeply rooted in the community, with over 70 percent of the villages mastering the technique. The tofu skin produced here stands out, made from locally grown soybeans and a unique method that results in a product as thin as a cicada's wing yet as resilient as tendons.

The final product boasts a delicate and slightly sweet taste, making it a favorite among consumers. Whether enjoyed in soups, stir-fries, or as a standalone snack, Jinhua's tofu skin is a testament to the region's rich culinary heritage and the enduring spirit of its people.

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Soy skins hung up in Jinhua as winter comes

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