Sweet fermented glutinous rice. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

When the fragrance of sweet-scented osmanthus permeates the city of Wuxi, it means it is time to eat sweet fermented glutinous rice.

Locals collect the sweet-scented osmanthus and make preserved osmanthus with sugar and honey, which goes well with sweet fermented glutinous rice.

Sweet fermented glutinous rice is a traditional snack with a history of about 1,000 years in Wuxi.

How to prepare fermented glutinous rice?

Timing is crucial in the preparation process, from sourcing ingredients to soaking, steaming, and fermenting.

The rice must be soaked for more than 12 hours and steamed well after the water is drained.

After it cools, it is mixed with ground distiller's yeast and a hollow is made in the middle of the mixture to allow for fermentation at a room temperature of between 25 and 28 degrees centigrade.

Fermented glutinous rice is usually cooked with glutinous rice balls and eggs. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

As it sits, the hollow is filled with milk white rice wine, which gives off a faint scent of rice and sourness.

How to eat fermented glutinous rice?

There are many ways to eat fermented glutinous rice. In addition to being eaten directly, it can be cooked with glutinous rice balls and eggs or made into steamed buns with flour.

As it is quite tonic, fermented glutinous rice is regarded as a dietary supplement in China for nourishing the body.

The Wuxi Laojiu Fermented Glutinous Rice Store. [Photo/WeChat account: wuxishilvyouju]

Where to buy authentic sweet fermented glutinous rice in Wuxi?

Wuxi Laojiu Fermented Glutinous Rice Store

Address: No 44 Qinyuan Street, ancient Huishan town

Tingsongfang Store

Address: Qinyuan Street, ancient Huishan town

Guizhou Fermented Glutinous Rice Store

Address: No 197 Xinan Road, Binhu district

Li Family's Fermented Glutinous Rice Store

Address: Daoxiang Farmers' Market, No 422-424 Daoxiang Road, Binhu district

Chengxin Fermented Glutinous Rice Store

Address: No 178-6 Changjiangbei Road, Xinwu district