On June 2, international students from Russia, Rwanda and other countries and regions of Silk Road School visited the time-honored Suzhou traditional confectionery shop named CaizhiZhai, in order to deepen their understanding of Suzhou local cuisine. The teachers and students were warmly received by Mr. Chu Minhui, chairman of the board of directors of CaizhiZhai company and President of Suzhou Time-honored Brand Association.

CaizhiZhai, known to Suzhou citizens of all ages, is a famous candy brand in China, headquartered in Guanqian Street, Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province, with branches in Shanghai, Hangzhou and other places. Founded in the late 19th century, this brand is famous for its variety and unique flavor of Suzhou-style candies. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Premier Zhou Enlai entertained international delegates at the Geneva Conference with CaizhiZhai candy, which back then was known as the "national candy". In 2007, Cai Zhizhai candy making skills were recognized as Suzhou intangible cultural heritage. In 2009, they were also listed as Jiangsu Provincial intangible cultural heritage. CaizhiZhai produces and sells hundreds of variety of sweets, including zongzi candies, various pine nut soft candies, dark plum cakes and many others. Its production is famous for exquisite ingredient selection, fine processing, rich nutritional value, deliciously sweet taste, the combination of characteristics of traditional Chinese candy and advantages of western candy, and its unique style. Many of the candy ingredients are rich in both flavor and nutrition, and have a beneficial effect on health. CaizhiZhai is known as "half-medicinal shop" because they combine pharmacology with sweet food. During its more than 140 year-long history, CaizhiZhai has always adhered to the integrity of the business philosophy of "genuine goods at a fair price and treating all customers with honesty". Generations of CaizhiZhai artisans have inherited the handicraft skills and carried forward the traditional culture. Year after year, they have nurtured the nostalgia of Suzhou people and consoled the homesickness of travelers.

As the group approached number 91 on Guanqian Street, where CaizhiZhai shop is located, they saw white-walled buildings with black tiles and elegant carved fences, and then a wave of sweet aroma filled the street, the distinctive flavour of the confectionery shop. Chu Minhui, chairman of the board, introduced to the students the history of Suzhou CaizhiZhai brand, he talked about the challenges experienced after restructuring and the blueprint for future development. "This time-honored brand is a true treasure. All our efforts are to form a national cultural memory through collecting and preserving the tradition of CaizhiZhai snacks."

The entrance of CaizhiZhai shop looks like a small Suzhou garden. Exquisite window decorations, horizontal tablets and traditional couplets all around. On the wall opposite the gate there is a famous drawing of "collecting Zhi" : a fairy holding a walking stick, carrying the magic Zhi mushroom in a basket, and another immortal with a gourd bottle full of elixir on his shoulder. There are wall signs saying "unique candy" and "half-Chinese traditional medicine shop" hanging on the walls. The salespeople wear traditional clothes of Suzhou area. Pleasant-sounding Wu dialect and the graceful and moving Suzhou ballads blending into the shop atmosphere.

In order to integrate the traditional craftsmanship into modern life, CaizhiZhai dedicated 30 square meters in the shop to a "transparent workshop". Through the glass, we can see Mr. Lu Yongwei, an artisan, at his work by the counter.

Boiling sugar, cooling, shaping, cutting, the students were able to witness the whole and intricate production process and had the honor to taste the fresh zongzi candy made by Master Lu. Milky white pine nuts sprinkled over amber caramel surface look like a fine art masterpiece. The hard and transparent zongzi candy is so delicious that it was highly praised by international students.

In the pastry making workshop the pastry master of CaizhiZhai revealed some secrets of traditional cake making. He personally guided the foreign students to make Suzhou style cakes such as brewed flower cakes and crisp bean paste cakes. After about half an hour of baking, the students could taste the delicious cakes made by themselves.

They say, Suzhou’s beauty is in its gardens, and even more on the tip of the tongue. CaizhiZhai, which focuses on the exploration, restoration, development and innovation of traditional Suzhou-style confectionery, is not only a beloved candy brand in the hearts of Suzhou people, but also a window for foreign students to understand Chinese culture. International students said that the collection of CaizhiZhai candy is now on their list of a must-bring-back-home-after-graduation souvenir and they will be supporting Suzhou time-honored candy brand on the world stage.

Translated by Ekaterina Prodanova

Edited by Aneka Rebecca Rajbhandari