Agriculture Agency Promotes Local Glutinous Rice, Mushrooms, and Peanuts for Dragon Boat Festival

With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) under the Ministry of Agriculture recommends that consumers choose local glutinous rice, dried mushrooms, and peanuts for making Zongzi. The AFA stated that the chewy texture of local glutinous rice, combined with the unique aroma of mushrooms and the richness of peanuts, enhances the flavor of Zongzi. The AFA explained that local glutinous rice is widely used in Taiwan's rice culture, categorized into long-grain glutinous rice for Zongzi and sticky rice for desserts. Taiwan's mushroom cultivation technology is excellent, with major production areas in Xinshe, Puli, and Yuchi. To help consumers identify local dried mushrooms, the AFA suggests checking the appearance: local mushrooms have a wrinkled, brown-to-dark-brown cap, light yellow gills, and a stem longer than 1 cm. Imported mushrooms often have deep cracks or smooth caps with darker gills. Local dried mushrooms are typically the 'Heizao' variety grown in winter, known for their natural fragrance. Local peanuts, mainly from Yunlin and Changhua, are superior to imported ones in freshness and aroma.