Taihu water shield appeared on the market lately, and its current market price is RMB32 to 44 yuan/kg.
Bi Luo Chun is a famous green tea originally grown in the Dongtingshan area by the Taihu Lake in Suzhou. Taihu water shield, a kind of perennial aquatic plant, is called Bi Luo Chun in water because of its high price compared with other aquatic plants.
Pic@Yinlibo
Taihu water shield is quite similar to Bi Luo Chun. Like the tea, the water shield is also graded according to its size and leaves: the fresh bud is the most valuable and next to it is the “one leaf with one bud”. Grade-S water shield, the top grade one with only fresh buds, is exported to such countries as Japan, Korea, etc. as well.
How to eat Taihu water shield?
The fresh leaves and buds are the eatable parts of the water shield. Its gelatinous surface has a smooth taste that produces a distinctive flavor, which is considered as its biggest characteristic.
Among the many ways to eat this delicious food, the simplest is to cook it into thick soup. Whether it is made into the homely water shield soup with whitebait and tofu soup with water shield or the Jiangnan specialty “Water Shield & Filet Soup”, the best way to retain the smoothness and tenderness of the water shield is to mix it with soup.
In addition, the water shield may also be served as a cold dish to go with wine.Reasonably seasoned water shield can provide an unique taste experience and whet the appetite with its smooth texture and slightly sour flavor.
Currently, there is still a small supply of Taihu water shield on the market. It is expected to be available in large amounts in late April and its price will slightly fall by then.
