China News Agency, Haikou, February 7th, title: Hainan coconut chicken: the "clear stream" in the hot pot rivers and lakes
China News Agency reporter Fu Yuqun
Different from the hot pot with rich ingredients and strong color and flavor in many places in China, Hainan Coconut Chicken Hot Pot, which looks like a pot of "boiled chicken in white water", can be described as a "clean stream".
Under the simple appearance, "a mouthful of meat is smooth and tender, and a mouthful of soup is delicious and sweet", attracting many foreign diners to go to Hainan.
Some popular local restaurants also have "star walls".
A pot of clear soup with a good ratio of coconut water and spring water. The white and tender coconut meat is tossed with boiling water. Pour in fresh Wenchang chicken. You can add a little salt. The sweetness of the coconut milk and the deliciousness of the chicken will gradually blend. After three to five minutes, it will be ready Enjoy the natural good taste.
"The most important thing about coconut chicken is to highlight the natural fragrance of the ingredients." Jiang Junhui, who has been cooking for more than 30 years, told reporters that the "tenderness" and "sweetness" that arouse diners' taste buds are due to local ingredients-coconut and Wenchang chicken.
According to Xing Tao, president of the Catering and Cooking Association of Wenchang City, Hainan Province, the practice of adding coconut and Wenchang chicken to dishes was called "Wenchang Chicken in Coconut Cup" by the locals in the early years. It means putting the whole chicken in coconut and steaming it, which is nutritious and nourishing.
In addition, there are other practices such as stewed chicken with coconut milk, especially common in rural areas of Hainan.
The simple and easy-to-make coconut chicken hot pot can actually be made at home, but Chen Yi, a tourist from Sichuan, still wants to eat it in Hainan because "it is more delicious when eaten locally".
For this difference in taste, Jiang Junhui said that the key lies in the choice of coconut and chicken.
Coconuts should not be too old or too tender. Coconut water has different sweetness and taste at different times and seasons.
"Coconuts are actually quite 'hypocritical'. If you pick them and don't eat them as soon as possible, they will become sour and astringent." Jiang Junhui said that Hainan is rich in coconuts, especially Wenchang coconuts, which are sweet and delicious. The freshly chopped coconut green water is the most suitable for soup base.
Wenchang chicken is the first choice for chicken, and the quality of chicken aged about 120 days is the most tender.
Wenchang chicken is a local breed in Hainan. After being raised in free range and in cages, it is fed with sweet potatoes, peanuts, and shredded coconut meat. The meat is particularly plump and delicious.
"The production of coconut chicken seems simple and easy, but it is not simple." Jiang Junhui said that he once led the team to conduct repeated experiments for 49 days, from the ratio of coconut water to spring water in the soup base, the amount of pearl water chestnuts and coconut meat, to Wenchang The chopping method of the chicken, etc. were adjusted one by one, and finally a more suitable ratio formula was found.
The way to eat coconut chicken is also very particular.
"The chicken must be added after the bottom of the soup is boiling, and it can be eaten in three or four minutes. At this time, the taste of the chicken is the best, and then turn to a low heat and cook slowly." Before eating meat, you must first taste a bowl of original flavor Coconut chicken soup, warm and sweet, unforgettable.
Jiang Junhui said that unlike the soup base with a strong flavor that has been boiled for a long time, the coconut chicken soup is rich and refreshing, with a thick fragrance. The "soul dip" made of ginger, kumquat, millet pepper and special soy sauce has endless aftertaste.
The coconut chicken hot pot that pursues "naturalness" shows the mainstream eating habits of Hainan Island.
Located in the tropics and surrounded by the sea, Hainan Island is rich in products, and the food pursues light and natural flavors, just like the simple, kind, gentle and easy-going characters of the local people and the pursuit of a natural and healthy lifestyle.
With the popularity of the concept of healthy and healthy diet, coconut chicken hot pot has gradually become a "hot item" in the national catering market, especially in southern China, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
According to Hainan official statistics, Wenchang chicken, the main ingredient of coconut chicken soup, will sell a total of 110 million chickens in 2022.
Many companies that smelled business opportunities seized the opportunity to launch pre-made coconut chicken dishes.
Li Bailong, manager of Hailan Kitchen Supply Chain Technology (Hainan) Co., Ltd., said that the repurchase rate of the company's flagship coconut chicken product reached 80%, and orders were even more popular during the Spring Festival.
(over)