On Mar 1, the local media ventured into the Mumen Fermented Glutinous Rice Co nestled at the base of Micang Mountain in Wangcang county, Guangyuan, Sichuan province, to uncover the cherished brewing techniques adored by northern Sichuan people.

Photo taken on Mar 1 shows several workers making fermented glutinous rice in Wangcang county, Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Nurturing a passion from youth

The Mumen town has upheld the age-old tradition of crafting homemade rice wine for centuries. In the 1970s, locals would quench their thirst with a bowl of sweet glutinous rice liquor, bringing them immense joy for just 0.2 yuan.

Sun Zhengrong, a native of the town, recalled watching her grandparents make fermented glutinous rice after school. Steamed rice would be carefully placed in earthen jars which are covered with straw and cotton wool scraps. Within about a week, the delightful sweetness of fermented glutinous rice wine would emerge.

This early exposure to the glutinous rice brewing crafts sowed the seeds of passion in Sun's heart. In 2003, a local dessert shop shuttered its doors due to financial struggles. The 40-year-old woman, a former employee of the shop, courageously took over the factory, embarking on a journey to revitalize the glutinous rice.

Handcrafted delicacies reach palates nationwide

The products from Mumen Fermented Glutinous Rice Co boasts a soft, glutinous texture and a subtly sweet flavor, free from any additives.

"The unparalleled popularity of the company's products stems from its commitment to traditional, handcrafted production methods," explained He Bin, chief engineer at Wangcang county.

Sun initially faced constraints due to limited resources. "We could only produce up to 200 kilograms of wine rice per day, with an annual output value of over 100,000 yuan ($13,936.9)."

Fast forward to 2012, a decade later, Mumen Fermented Glutinous Rice Co underwent rapid expansion, with its factory building growing about twentyfold. That year, the company's output value exceeded one million yuan, marking a tenfold increase from 2003.

Despite its expanding scale, the company remains steadfast in its adherence to traditional craftsmanship. Each step of the process, from soaking and steaming the rice to fermenting and packaging, is meticulously executed by hand, ensuring the products made in the most authentic manner.

Li Xiaoli, an employee of eight years, revealed, "The only modern equipment in our company is the wine filtration equipment."

With the water sourced from local mountain springs, and the raw materials cultivated by villagers, Sun's efforts preserving the traditional brewing process made it win the title of intangible cultural heritage in Sichuan province.

"Our products aren't just embraced by consumers in Sichuan; they've made their way to Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Shandong provinces and beyond," asserted Sun Ce, the company's sales manager.

Photo taken on Mar 1 shows a worker making fermented glutinous rice in Wangcang county, Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Government, enterprise work together to make the company bigger

The journey of enterprise growth is often fraught with challenges, and the Mumen Fermented Glutinous Rice Co is no exception.

When faced with the dilemma of managing wastewater generated during the brewing process, Sun Zhengrong found an unexpected ally in the town government. Taking proactive steps, the government offered a solution: the Mumen Sewage Treatment Plant would handle the wastewater at no cost. "This initiative has effectively slashed the company's operational expenses by over 500,000 yuan," Sun Zhengrong gratefully acknowledged.

Simultaneously, the Mumen government extended support to the company by helping build an e-commerce platform and providing training in e-commerce practices to broaden sales channels. "Online sales now account for over 20 percent of our product distribution," Sun Ce enthused.

Despite overcoming daunting obstacles, the company remains dedicated to giving back to society. "The company will buy all the grain I cultivate," expressed Li Guoqun, a local villager and a beneficiary of Sun Zhengrong's assistance.

The company has effectively lifted 12 impoverished households in Mumen town out of poverty, while also enhancing the livelihoods of local villagers by paying employees and temporary workers over 550,000 yuan annually.

The stalwart industrial enterprise, enters the Year of the Dragon with renewed vigor, aspiring to expand its production capacity and introduce Mumen fermented glutinous rice wine into more households.