TCM-Infused Breads Gain Popularity Among Health-Conscious Consumers

On a recent afternoon, Caicai discovered a new culinary delight at a bakery linked to a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) hospital in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province. Upon tasting the soft and buttery bread filled with creamy goodness, she was initially reminded of a typical milk bun, but soon noticed a delicate herbal flavor beneath the surface. The bakery offers loaves enriched with TCM ingredients like Chinese angelica, tuckahoe, and goji berries, which intrigued Caicai, a 35-year-old who relies on TCM for her health.

Caicai appreciated the reasonable price and quality of the bread, and felt reassured that it contained authentic TCM additives. This recent merging of modern bakery items with TCM has been gaining popularity, with many catering businesses now offering TCM-infused ice creams and beverages to cater to younger consumers looking for eclectic tastes. Hospitals, recognizing this trend, have also begun selling TCM-enhanced food items, which have been well-received.

The Yangzhou Hospital of TCM launched six types of this TCM-infused bread, seeing such high demand that wait times soared to two hours initially. To accommodate the interest, the hospital increased production and improved sales processes, achieving daily sales of 3,000 to 4,000 servings, according to Zhao Wei, the hospital's deputy director of preventive medicine. Young adults seeking healthier diets now prefer these innovative food products over traditional herbal concoctions that are often unpalatable, hence the creative integration of classical TCM formulas into bakery recipes.

Priced at about 10 yuan ($1.4) each, the breads draw upon time-honored TCM wisdom, including a variety inspired by the Compendium of Materia Medica, written by famed herbalist Li Shizhen. Other varieties resemble traditional TCM formulations created to address various ailments, such as a scone crafted from eight herbal ingredients aimed at fever relief.

Not only are hospitals in cities like Tianjin and Guizhou also jumping into this niche market, but leading TCM brands, such as Tongrentang, have begun selling their own versions of TCM-infused baked goods. Wang Yi, a specialist at Beijing's Guang'anmen Hospital, explained that these medicated diets contribute to both nutritional needs and medicinal Wellness.

As public health awareness escalates in China, the acceptance of medicated foods is on the rise, which Wang believes benefits public health, disease prevention, and even economic growth through agricultural and service industry stimulation. However, she insists that the production of TCM foods must align with national safety regulations and adhere to the principles of TCM, accounting for individual health and regional differences. Zhao also hinted at upcoming summer products aimed at combating heat and excessive sweating, suggesting further expansions into salads, lollipops, and various beverages in the future.