Lamb cake is a traditional cold dish made from cooked lamb. [Photo/WeChat account: tcsrmtzx]

A family recipe passed down through generations is helping a Taicang food business reach a wider market, while keeping a local culinary tradition alive.

Jincanghu Food is one of the largest lamb businesses in Taicang. Its owner, Lu Xiaofan, built the business on traditional skills inherited from his family and a loyal customer base developed over many years.

In 2015, the company opened a standardized production facility, which now processes nearly 100,000 kilograms of lamb products annually. Its main offerings are sliced boiled lamb and lamb cake, a traditional cold dish made from cooked lamb.

This year, Lu was recognized as a representative inheritor of Taicang's municipal-level intangible cultural heritage for his expertise in the traditional craft of preparing plain-boiled lamb.

The method relies on simplicity rather than heavy seasoning. Lamb is gently simmered in water to bring out its natural sweetness and flavor. Once cooled, it is sliced thinly. The meat is tender yet holds its shape, with a rich flavor and no overpowering gaminess.

Lu began exploring online sales in 2022. Revenue from e-commerce reached 2 million to 3 million yuan ($300,000 to $450,000) in the first year, but grew steadily thereafter, surpassing 10 million yuan last year.

By combining time-honored cooking techniques with modern production and online sales, the business is bringing a taste of Taicang's food heritage to more consumers.