Homemade ciba: Winter delicacy in Hechi

In Hechi, winter is marked by the comforting aroma of ciba, a traditional glutinous rice cake. This delicacy is favored by locals during the cold weather, as families can gather around a stove, chat, and enjoy the rice cakes. 

In Jinchengjiang district, Long Cuiqin has been busy making these rice cakes. Making ciba involves selecting, soaking, steaming, and grinding the rice, then shaping and drying. She started by steaming the soaked glutinous rice. After 45 minutes of steaming, Long skillfully pressed the rice into a paste, forming it into balls of the same size and flattening them. 

Long also added special printings on ciba after the shaping process. After drying for five hours, ciba became firm and glossy. 

"When winter begins, ciba becomes a beloved snack. They can be sold out on the market within half an hour," Long said.

Long uses about 25 kilograms of glutinous rice daily, making over 300 ciba. The demand for ciba often peaks near the Spring Festival, with daily glutinous rice usage reaching 75 kg, said Long.