Eating Herb Jelly in Guangdong Province 吃仙草

Divine grass (Xiancao, in Chinese), also known as jelly grass, is a kind of herb belonging to Lamiaceae. It is an important plant resource that can be used as both medicine and food. It is called “Divine grass” due to its amazing effect of dispelling summer heat. Stems and leaves of the grass can be made into herb jelly after being dried in the sun. In Guangdong Province, this jelly is also called “cold jelly,” which is not only a sweet dessert for dispelling heat, but also can be used as medicine.

There is a popular saying in Guangdong Province which goes, “eating herb jelly in Major Heat will make you stay young like the immortals.” The herb jelly looks and tastes like Guiling Jelly (made of tortoise plastron and guaems). Herb Jelly is also a famous snack in Taiwan Province and it can be eaten both warm and cold.