STORY: Brazilian expat learns to make traditional rice ball in China's Guangdong
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 2, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:44
LOCATION: FOSHAN, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the process of making jiandui
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): VINICIUS DE MORAIS LIMA, Brazilian expat in Guangdong
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese/English): Vinicius and Yannan villagers
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English/Chinese): VINICIUS DE MORAIS LIMA, Brazilian expat in Guangdong

STORYLINE:

Jiandui, a deep-fried sesame rice ball, is a beloved traditional snack in south China's Guangdong Province. A Brazilian expat living in Guangdong visited a local village to learn how to make jiandui and discover the auspicious meanings behind this delicious treat.

Yannan Village
Guangdong Province, China

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): VINICIUS DE MORAIS LIMA, Brazilian expat in Guangdong
"I'm here today to figure out what is jiandui and (how to) make the best jiandui ever. So follow me to check it out!"

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese/English): Vinicius and Yannan villagers
"Keep stirring until the water boils. Then you can add the glutinous rice flour."
"Oh, can I try?"
"Here you go. Hold this ladle and stir the sugar water in the pot. Now knead the dough. Keep kneading. Thumbs up for you. You're kneading the dough very well. Now take a small piece of dough and shape it into a hollow dough ball."
"I make a ball like this?"
"Gently stretch and tighten the dough, making it thin. Now it's time to drop it into the frying pot."
"Wow, so big! I'm a little bit afraid of the oil though. It's not a problem? It's funny because, in Chinese culture, the ball is actually a symbol of reunion. So the bigger the ball, the happier we're supposed to be, or the better the moment we're going to get. Wow!"
"You can have a try now. Take one and try it."
"Oh, let me try."
"Does it taste good?"
"Wow, it's so good! It's crispy on the outside and a little bit chewy on the inside, and it's sweet. I cannot stop."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English/Chinese): VINICIUS DE MORAIS LIMA, Brazilian expat in Guangdong
"Hey kids, I am the master now. I can teach you now, okay? Okay. So, let's go! I thought I was a master, but apparently, the kids are better than me at this. Spring Festival is all about bringing the people you love together, so that's what I learned from this experience."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Foshan, China.
(XHTV)