Zichang Vermicelli (glass noodles/Sheet Jelly) is a specialty product of Zichang City, Yan’an, Shaanxi Province. Made primarily from potatoes, it undergoes processes such as grinding, filtering, and sedimentation to extract starch, followed by cooking and processing. The vermicelli is characterized by its bright white color, smooth and even texture, and tender yet chewy and agreeable to the taste. It can be directly braised, stir-fried, mixed, or hot-potted, and also pairs well with various meats and vegetables for diverse dishes and fillings. It is considered a healthy food choice.
First, during the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period, the local people used stone mills to grind potatoes into pulp and extract starch for making vermicelli. Before the 1980s, potato processing was limited to manual work, resulting in minimal production amount of potato vermicelli (glass noodles/Sheet Jelly), with only small quantities sold externally. After the 1980s, with the adoption of mechanized potato processing equipment, the output of potato vermicelli (glass noodles/Sheet Jelly) increased year by year. In 1980, Zichang County produced 200 tons of vermicelli (glass noodles/Sheet Jelly) annually, with over 100 tons sold externally. By 1995, production reached 294 tons, with 236 tons exported, making it a major foreign trade commodity. In 1999, the county had 3,512 large, medium, and small potato processing workshops, with an annual processing capacity of 150,000–200,000 tons and vermicelli(glass noodles/Sheet Jelly) production output of 25,000 tons.
Second, Zichang vermicelli is white, highly resilient, and odorless. It can be stir-fried, braised, deep-fried, stewed, used in soups, served cold, or even puffed for consumption. Since it has no inherent taste but readily absorbs flavors, it easily takes on the taste of any dish it accompanies, making it an excellent ingredient for pairing with other foods. Zichang vermicelli is boil-resistant but not stew-resistant. Except for deep-frying, stewing, or puffing (which require direct cooking), other preparation methods involve first soaking the vermicelli in boiling water, and covering it for 5–10 minutes until it softens by absorbing water, before further cooking.
Third, the trademark holder of “Zichang Vermicelli” is the Zichang Potato Industry Bureau. Zichang City has vigorously implemented a trademark and brand strategy, cultivating and developing “Zichang Potato” and “Zichang Vermicelli” as industry-leading brands and trademarks. It successfully applied for and registered the National Geographical Indication Certification Trademarks in 2011. In 1993, it won the Silver Award at the National Spark Program Achievement Exhibition in Changde.