Gorgon plants have purple flowers. [Photo/WeChat account: isuzhoume]
Due to consistent hot weather this year, gorgon nuts exclusive to Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, are expected to hit the market by the end of July – a bit earlier than usual.
Boasting a stable yield this year, gorgon nuts are expected to be priced at 240 yuan ($35.59) per kilogram, about the same as last year.
The nutritious and glutinous gorgon fruit is a specialty of Suzhou. Its rooster-head shape has earned it the name "鸡头米", which literally means "rooster's head rice" in Chinese.
There are plenty of ways to cook gorgon nuts, but the favorite among Suzhou locals is blanching them and sprinkling sugar or sweet osmanthus flowers on top. In addition, gorgon nut syrup and gorgon nuts fried with shrimp meat or beans are also recommended dishes.
Gorgon nuts and their peeled fruit. [Photo/WeChat account: isuzhoume]
