Thursday, September 21, 2023
33.1 C
Haikou

Hainan to issue RMB bonds in Hong Kong

Proceeds from the bonds will be channelled into critical sectors such as healthcare, education, environmental monitoring and restoration, biodiversity protection, and marine conservation

Merck Establishes First Subsidiary in Hainan – A Milestone...

Merck subsidiary in Bo’ao Lecheng Hainan, 1st multinational pharma subsidiary unlocking growth in China's healthcare sector

Hainan Island aiming to become the next big thing...

Hainan Island, China's tropical gem, is poised to transform RV tourism with comprehensive plans for high-quality development.

China Introduces Draft Law for Preschools, to Curb Early...

China introduces a draft law emphasising comprehensive and secure preschool education, aiming to alleviate undue academic stress on young children.
HomeExpats in HaikouHave you tried...

Have you tried Hainan Fish Tea?

This strange-sounding fermented fish product is sometimes referred to as Hainan’s answer to sushi.

Fish tea!……Yes, you heard right.

This nutritionally rich concoction has been around for generations and it is a popular snack among the Li and Miao people of Hainan Island. Hainan Fish Tea gets its name from the way it is made. Part of the process requires brewing, similar to making a cup of green or black tea.

The dish is especially popular around the March 3rd festival, which falls on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the lunar calendar. This is also known as the love festival and day of talking, where many young men and women engage in traditional courtship activities.

Hainan Fish Tea

Origins of fish tea

Regarding the origins of fish tea, folklorists in Hainan say that there are three different stories:

The first story is that a long time ago, a Li woman accidentally put raw fish and rice together. After a few days, she found that the fish tasted good.

The second story is that, after a harvesting feast, a person from the Li community put rice and raw fish in a jar together in order not to waste the leftovers. After a few days, they found that the fish tasted sour and actually quite good to eat.

The third story is that in the process of “slash-and-burn cultivation”, the Li people discovered that eating raw fish and rice together can “cool down” the body, so they developed fish tea. 

The taste of the tea is said to be both sweet and sour, and quite fragrant. Surprisingly, it is also said that fish tea doesn’t have a fishy smell.

Health benefits of fish tea

The fermented fish tea is rich in minerals such as selenium and chromium, which are said to slow down the aging process, be anti-tumor, prevent arteriosclerosis, and improve human immunity.

The lactic acid bacteria found in fish tea are beneficial to your intestinal tract, the growth of bacteria is said to effectively prevent cancer and prevent memory loss.

Hainan fish tea is a food the Li and Miao nationalities in Hainan used to entertain guests.

It is recommended to eat Hainan fish tea with soy sauce for dipping

Fish tea can be made in two varieties – wet and dry.

Fish tea is not actually tea, (as I’m sure you’ve figured out by now), it is what Hainanese people call sushi-like food. It is popular with people living in the mountainous areas of Hainan. The main ingredients are cooked mountain rice that has been naturally fermented, fresh fish, fish belly, pork, and eggs.

Wet fish tea is made by cutting freshwater fish into pieces, smearing them with salt, leaving for an hour or two then draining the brine. It is then washed and put into a clean jar with slices of garlic and pork among other condiments to ferment.

Dried fish tea is made using sun-dried fish. It is then mixed with cold rice and condiments and put into a clean jar and sealed.

During the hotter months, it can be consumed after 7-10 days. When it is cooler, it takes a little longer to ferment and you could be waiting up to a month to crack the jar. The longer the fermentation time, the stronger the taste.

Fish is sun-dried on racks outdoors to make the dry variety of fish tea

Making fish tea

The method of making fish tea is very simple, but the way of making it varies from region to region.

Within the Wuzhishan area, most of the Li nationality use mountain orchid rice and wild fish from the local reservoirs and rivers. They also add garlic, onion, ginger, and salt.

Steps

First wash the fish, gut and set aside the meat

Prepare a jar or glass bottle

Chop the onion, ginger, and garlic, stir it with the fish, dried rice and salt, then put it into the jar together

Compact it and place a layer of rice in the mouth of the jar.

Seal the jar and place in a cool place, usually 7-10 days in summer, half a month or a month in winter, and then take it out for consumption after fermentation.

Where to buy Hainan Fish Tea?

Unless you are in the mountainous regions of Hainan, it’s generally not something you could pick up at your local convenience store. If you search 海南鱼茶 Hǎinán yú chá literally meaning ‘Hainan Fish Tea’ on Taobao or Meituan you’ll find a number of stores selling it online

Related article: More on minority arts and culture

Comment or complaint

If you would like to make a comment, compliment or complaint about any aspect of living or working in Hainan Island, we’d love to hear from you. We pass all communications on to the relevant services. Please keep it polite and to the point.

=

Related articles:

Haikou Introduces Simultaneous Work and Residence Permit Processing for Foreign Talent

In a first within the province, Haikou City has streamlined its foreign work and residence permit issuance process, enabling "simultaneous issuance" for expats.

Queen Mary University of London Launches Transnational Education Program in Hainan

Queen Mary University of London partners with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) to establish a transnational education program in Hainan, China, aimed at enrolling over 1,000 students by 2026/27.

Hainan to issue RMB bonds in Hong Kong

Proceeds from the bonds will be channelled into critical sectors such as healthcare, education, environmental monitoring and restoration, biodiversity protection, and marine conservation

Merck Establishes First Subsidiary in Hainan – A Milestone for Bo’ao Lecheng

Merck subsidiary in Bo’ao Lecheng Hainan, 1st multinational pharma subsidiary unlocking growth in China's healthcare sector

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Haikou
scattered clouds
33.1 ° C
33.1 °
33.1 °
70 %
2kmh
40 %
Thu
33 °
Fri
31 °
Sat
30 °
Sun
30 °
Mon
30 °

Cosy Stays Beyond the Ordinary

Relax, Unwind, and Explore Hainan's Hidden Gems

Tang Court | The Langham Hotel

Located on the 43rd floor of the Langham Haikou, T’ang Court Haikou is one of a chain of three restaurants in China that share...

Sicilia Bar

One of the latest additions to the Haikou bar scene. SICILIA bar first opened its doors to customers in early 2019. The bar is...

Ritz-Carlton Terra

Named after the Italian word for “earth,” Terra takes inspiration from nature, using only the freshest ingredients. The all-day dining restaurant features Mediterranean, Italian...
spot_img

Bored? Need to get out more?

Latest News ...

Haikou Introduces Simultaneous Work and Residence Permit Processing for Foreign Talent

In a first within the province, Haikou City has streamlined its foreign work and residence permit issuance process, enabling "simultaneous issuance" for expats.

Queen Mary University of London Launches Transnational Education Program in Hainan

Queen Mary University of London partners with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) to establish a transnational education program in Hainan, China, aimed at enrolling over 1,000 students by 2026/27.

Ministry of Education announced penalties of 100,000 yuan for unlicensed tutoring services

China's Ministry of Education has announced stringent penalties of up to 100,000 yuan ($13,715.54) for unlicensed tutoring services.

Rising Dengue Fever Cases: A Growing Health Concern in Tropical Regions

Currently, nations across South and Southeast Asia are grappling with a surge in Dengue fever cases, amid signs that global warming is driving a record number of infections worldwide.
spot_img

Looking for an international pre-school in Haikou?

Flora's International Preschool has three preschools in the Haikou area. Our schools follow a European curriculum

Continue Reading ...

2023 Tour of Hainan (Oct 5th-9th) Set to Raise the Stakes in International Cycling

Scheduled to take place from October 5th to October 9th, 2023 Tour of Hainan will kick off in Qionghai City and conclude in Sanya City, offering a total prize pool of $300,000 USD.

2023 Haikou Cup Regatta, Dock Party & Summer Sports Events National Day Golden Week

Scheduled from October 2nd to 4th, this sailing event will feature a vibrant carnival exciting parties and a creative market

Hainan Open Returns: Danzhou Ancient Saltern Golf Club to Host Prestigious European Challenge Tour

Witness the revival of the Hainan Open at the Danzhou Ancient Saltern Golf Club. Premier golfing event on stunning Hainan Island coastline, featuring top talent and a $500,000 prize fund.

Get weekly email updates for new articles published!

Never miss another important notice or event. Be informed of what you need to know, when you need to know it.