When visiting the Mesona factory, our mood was very complicated as previously described. After seeing Mrs. Huang’s skillful traditional production technique, we were touched! It’s hard to describe it. Just like the reason we chose Mesona for our research, maybe it is the love to our hometown.

While watching the boiling process of Mesona, we asked Mrs. Huang questions as follows.

Q1: What procedures are followed after harvesting Mesonafor making Mesona jelly or other Mesona products?

A1: Mesona must be harvested before it blooms. After it’s harvested, the weeds must be removed before we clean Mesona. Then, we air-dry it for two days and set aside for a while in order to bring out the aroma of Mesona while it’s cooked.

Q2: During boiling, is there anything to be cared?

A2: During boiling Mesona, fire control is the most important. For example, when cooking Mesona, we need to use big fire, but after adding cornstarch we have to turn the fire down to medium.

Q3: When making Mesona products, is it different between handmade and using machine? Which one is better? And why?

A3: Certainly handmade is better because the texture of handmade Mesona products is softer and chewier; however, it’s hard to mass-produce.

Q4: Considering the recently food safety issues, how do we select good Mesona products? How to tell whether a Mesona product contains additives?

A4: Mesona. After being sliced, a good Mesona product should look clear. If it looks unclear, then the quality is not good.

Q5: Being engaged in producing traditional Mesona products, how do you feel?

A5: Since the process of making traditional Mesona products is very hard, such as withstanding high temperatures or staying next to the boiler for the entire day, nowadays only very few young people are still willing to do the work. In addition to its hard work, the lack of successors is also a big problem.

Q6: Beside the traditional Mesona products, will you research and develop new products?

A6: Of course! Wecreated Mesona Chicken, FriedMesona sprout, and other dishes in response to the previous Paoshui Rite event. Others also created mesona gnocchi, Mesona candies, and others.