The thousand-layer cake made in Jiaotan, Suichang county. [Photo/Lishui Radio and Television Station]

Suichang, a county blessed with lush mountains and meandering rivers in Lishui, Zhejiang province, is home to a unique culinary tradition.

Jiaotan township in Suichang is well-known for its three culinary treasures: fish head, egg skin, and pork with salted vegetable. There is, however, another delicacy that steals the spotlight, generating an annual profit of over 300,000 yuan ($41,399.67) in the small town.

It is called the thousand-layer cake, or "early rice cake", a red-and-green cake made from the year's earliest rice.

Nearly every household in Jiaotan can make this delicacy. The exquisite cake calls for only a few simple ingredients: loofah leaves, rice, and brown sugar. The meticulously prepared rice milk is steamed with loofah leaves and brown sugar, emitting a sweet fragrance.

The translucent layers, adorned in hues of green and orange, are delicately stacked to form the thousand-layer cake. The seasonal delicacy tastes best when cooled, exuding a delightful glutinous aroma accompanied by a subtle, refreshing sweetness.