Lotus-leaf noodles drive rural revival in Guizhou

At Hejiaba Village, Tongren City in the southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou, lotus ponds have become a lucrative "green gold mine" for local residents. By blending freshly squeezed lotus leaf juice with flour, the villagers have created a unique local delicacy – lotus-leaf noodles. This dish has captured the hearts of consumers far and wide.

As the lotus flowers burst into bloom, the village's 200-mu (13-hectare) expanse of lotus ponds are cloaked in a verdant sea of leaves. At dawn, Wu Yanlin and fellow villagers headed out to the ponds, carefully selecting the perfect leaves. "The key lies in choosing darker leaves," Wu revealed. "They produce a richer color in the noodles. Younger leaves yield juice that's too pale and lacks sufficient potency."

Wu walks us through the meticulous production process: after a thorough wash, the harvested leaves are juiced, then precisely measured and mixed with flour to form a dough. This dough is then repeatedly rolled and flattened before being cut into strips and left to air-dry naturally. Once cooked and seasoned, the noodles emerge with a lustrous, jade-like sheen and a delicate, natural green hue.

"These noodles are a summer staple," said local resident Zhao Qifeng. "They're delightfully slippery, chewy, and carry a faint, refreshing fragrance." For many in the village, a bowl of lotus leaf noodles is the perfect way to start the day.

However, the culinary uses of lotus leaves don't stop at noodles. Villagers have come up with over a dozen innovative dishes inspired by lotus leaves – from lotus leaf tofu pudding and crispy tofu snacks to fragrant tea and savory scrambled eggs. These "cool and refreshing" treats are now reaching markets across China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Xinjiang, thanks to e-commerce platforms.

The lotus-leaf noodle industry has become a major economic driver for Hejiaba Village, generating an annual collective dividend of 30,000 yuan ($4,174 USD) and providing stable employment for 14 residents. Beyond the financial gains, this booming industry has also enhanced the village's living environment and community well-being, charting a distinctive course towards rural revitalization.