中国·福州——热爱城市从热爱美食开始

Early on the morning of December 24, Ye Heng, Chairman of the Union for New Forms of Employment in Cangshan District, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, was already hard at work. He confirmed the ingredient list and shared event updates in various WeChat groups yesterday. At 6 a.m., he headed to the supermarket to purchase each item on the list. At 7 a.m., he delivered the ingredients to the Trade Union Service Station and organized volunteers to help with the preparation...

Led by Ye Heng, the Cangqianshan Community Union Service Station in Cangshan District was filled with the rich aroma of rice. Lin Wei, the fourth-generation inheritor of “Erlongbo,” a century-old yuanxiao (dumpling balls made of sticky rice flour stuffed with different fillings) brand in Fuzhou, gave hands-on guidance to 32 workers in new forms of employment, including couriers and food delivery riders, along with their family members, as they learned to make traditional Fuzhou specialties: mishi (rice balls made from a mixture of regular rice and glutinous rice) and yuanxiao.

“The key to kneading lies in striking the right balance between glutinous rice and regular rice. If the paste is too soft, the rice balls will fall apart during cooking.” “Finely grinding the rice and thoroughly kneading the paste are key to ensuring the rice balls are smooth and non-sticky in the mouth. It’s crucial to perfect the craftsmanship to the highest standard.”… Lin Wei, a post-85s inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, demonstrated the making techniques while sharing the century-old story of Fuzhou mishi and yuanxiao.

The dough is first kneaded into smooth round balls. Then, it is cooked in water until it swells, followed by cooling. Finally, the dough is rolled in soybean peanut powder and black sesame, ensuring an even coating on all sides…

Zhang Jianhai, a food delivery rider from Heze, Shandong, carefully learned from the master. Before long, round, smooth mishi were being shaped in his hands. “I’m still not very skilled, but the food I make myself always tastes better,” said Zhang Jianhai, who was trying mishi for the first time. “I’m grateful for the warm taste the union has brought me!’

During the New Year’s Day and Spring Festival holidays, many trade union service stations in Fuzhou will team up with social organizations to bring the “taste of home” to workers in new forms of employment. The Fuzhou Federation of Trade Unions will work with over 30 social organizations to serve nearly 100 union service stations, providing a variety of services related to employee culture, daily life, and health. These include free breakfasts, complimentary self-service car wash passes, job-related live-streaming sessions, and free haircuts, among others. During the two festivals, leveraging the shared platform established by the trade union to connect and guide social organizations, 164 public welfare activities will be organized through the Fuzhou Federation of Trade Unions’ network of caring public welfare partners. These initiatives are expected to raise over 1.2 million yuan in charitable donations. (Workers’ Daily Reporter: Li Runzhao; Correspondent: Lin Ying)