Villagers Yaokou village, Fuyang district make gray water zongzi as Dragon Boat Festival approaches. [Photo/Hangzhoufeel]

As Dragon Boat Festival approaches, the air in Yaokou village, Fuyang district of Hangzhou fills with the rich scent of zongzi — plus a hint of straw ash.

Zongzi is a traditional Chinese delicacy made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. The legendary gray water zongzi in Huyuan township is a delicacy with over 300 years of history. Villagers burn clean straw to make ash, filter it into gray lye, and soak glutinous rice in it to create this local treasure.

Zongzi is a traditional Chinese delicacy made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. [Photo/Hangzhoufeel]