The marinated foods of Anchang town in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, are very famous and often used to entertain guests, especially during the Chinese New Year.

According to local resident Peng Xingbiao, people in Anchang generally know how to make marinated foods. The key to successful marination lies in the weather; only cool and windy conditions allow for the production of quality marinated foods. He uses the example of marinated duck made with sheldrake to illustrate the preparation steps. After removing the innards, the duck is hung to dry before marination. Once marinated, the duck is washed and dried again, followed by a new round of soaking in soy sauce. The specific duration required for each step varies based on the weather and the size of the duck. The process of making marinated foods involves many variables, and the true flavor only emerges when it is removed from the pot.

Co-produced by ZICC and dotdotnews

Editor Zhang Fangyu; Intern Rao Siyi