Jiaodong bobo (胶东饽饽/Jiaodong Bobo)

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Jiaodong bobo" or "flower bobo" in Muping district of Yantai city boasts a history of over 300 years. It is made of wheat flour and is four or even six times larger than mantou, a staple in North China.

It is hard to know when Jiaodong bobo first appeared. In ancient times it was used for worship. It is still very popular in the rural areas of Weihai, Yantai and Qingdao. People usually steam bobo to celebrate special occasions such as Spring Festival, weddings and birthdays, as the word for "steam" is pronounced "zheng" in Chinese, indicating life's fortune will rise.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

By various processes such as kneading, shaping, carving, steaming and coloring, skilled cooks made bobo into various shapes of different animals and figures with various images like pomegranates, lotuses, dragons, phoenixes and tigers. So they are both edible and ornamental.

People usually steam bobo to celebrate special occasions such as Spring Festival, weddings and birthdays, as the word for "steam" is pronounced "zheng" in Chinese, indicating life's fortune will rise. The treat also symbolizes harvest, health and longevity.

Bobo, an exquisite handicraft, showcases the food culture and aesthetic taste of the local people.

[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]