A statue immortalizes techniques of sesame chip making at the Xiaogan Museum of Sesame Chips & Rice Wine in Xiaogan city, Hubei province, Sept 23, 2017. [Photo by Bi Nan/chinadaily.com.cn]

When talking of Xiaogan city in Hubei province, most people will recall its most famous snacks, sesame chips and rice wine. Reporters participating in a large-scale cultural event on intangible cultural heritage paid a visit to the Xiaogan Museum of Sesame Chips & Rice Wine on Saturday, an establishment showcasing the history and evolution of the renowned foodstuffs.

Sesame chip, a kind of candy made of sesame, is one of the most famous snacks in Hubei province, enjoying much fame as early as the end of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The making of sesame chips has four steps: sesame selecting, sugaring off, sugar pulling and candy slicing.

Rice wine is also called dessert wine, and is a specialty of the Han people. According to historical records, rice wine was developed in Xiaogan and originated from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The making of rice wine also goes through four steps: steaming sticky rice, laying out the rice, fermentation and enclosing the wine into jars. The wine was listed as a provincial intangible cultural heritage item in 2015.

The city of Xiaogan got its name from a story of filial piety. Xiaogan in Chinese means "filial piety" and "pity"; as legend goes, a man named Dong Yong sold himself to pay for his father's burial and a god took pity on him for this filial deed.