just search “临安小核桃” in google image, you will know what is that.

Americans are lasy, they just don’t like to eat s.th with shell. But we Chinese love those foodstuff like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds in shell. That’s why Chinese is so diligent and smart? Just kidding.

You seem to have an interesting job.(Oops, I spent too much time on your blog today. My boss might complain) I wish more Americans can have enthusiasm like you to find out the true side of Chinese and Middle Kingdom(Where you get this term for “中国”）, not just from CNN with “colored-eye”.

I tried the 西湖龙井 in Hangzhou and the mo feng (not sure the characters) in Huang Shan, but didn’t try any of the green tea in Linan. Good stuff? My 3 years in Fujian has made me rather partial to Wulong, but I still like a nice green tea now and then as well. I didn’t try or see the 小核桃. Good stuff? Actually, my friend I was visiting in Linan is 东北人, so that would make sense why she didn’t tip me off on all the local snacks.

Have you tried 绿茶（green tea) and 小核桃(pecan or walnut). Usually Lin’anese won’t let you leave without knowing those local produce.

The reason I referred to 笋干 as “bamboo sausage” is because it provides what I think is a relatively accurate cultural analog for Westerners who aren’t familiar with this type of foodstuff. Usually in the West (at least in the US I can say) the majority of the dried food we eat is meat (sausage) as well as occasional dried fruit. When you tell your average American that you ate “dried bamboo shoots,” even though it is a more accurate translation, they will usually have little concept of what it is you are describing. When you describe it as “sausage, but made out of bamboo,” Westerners generally have a better idea of what you are talking about. Same goes for tofu. I have recently begun describing it to those who are unfamiliar as “cheese, but made out of beans, instead of milk.” While this isn’t necessarily 100% accurate, I’ve noticed it presents a better mental picture than simply describing the tofu making process. And by the way, Linan has some of the best 笋干 and 豆干 I have ever tasted. If I hadn’t been traveling with only a backpack, and still had 6 or 7 more stops to go, I would have filled my bags with the stuff and brought it home with me.

So I think “Dried bamboo shoot” is more proper.

I’m so excited to know an American who knows and likes ” 笋干”(which a lot of Americans would complain it’s too chewing) that’s why I came back and left another message.

I’m a Lin’anese just got back from China, and my son’s teacher asked for some pictures and introduction of my trip to China(of course in English), I’m glad you have such a detailed introduction about Lin’An, you have a good sense to catch the most important thing of a place.Foot masage , medical treatment posters, interesting name of the store. Dried bamboo shoot is always my favorite, I brought a lot back to USA.

Thank you for such a detailed article about Lin’an with good observation. I enjoyed reading it.

hek