Dong village smoked tofu: A taste of winter nostalgia

As winter sets in, residents in Laozhai Village, Yuping Dong Autonomous County, in southwest China's Guizhou Province, are busily crafting their traditional smoked tofu—a specialty of the Dong ethnic group.  

Employing time-honored craftsmanship passed down through generations, they transform the cold winter into a warm season of abundance and turn the daily wisp of smoke into an emblem of hometown nostalgia.

For the Dong people in Laozhai, making smoked tofu in winter means more than just storing food; it's a cherished family tradition.  

In the past agricultural society, winter was a quiet season when families would gather to make tofu together—some soaking soybeans, some grinding them into milk, others pressing and smoking.  

A small piece of tofu, from soaking soybeans to final smoking, is a work of art made by the whole family, symbolizing reunion, abundance and wishes for a better life.

Today, this nostalgic flavor is finding its way to broader markets. Thanks to its unique taste, Laozhai's smoked tofu has built a diverse sales network through WeChat groups and e-commerce platforms.  

Village officials help collect tofu from farmers, deliver to local customers, and ship vacuum-packed products to out-of-town people.  

What was once a family craft has now become a profitable business, boosting villagers' incomes and preserving Dong culture while connecting old traditions with modern life.