Elderberries Replace Pig Feet for Healthier Buddha's Delight

As the Lunar New Year approaches, crowds shopping for year-end provisions on Dihua Street or at major retail outlets are gradually increasing.Among them, one of the classic Chinese New Year dishes, Buddha's Delight, has become a representation of New Year feasts. The "Buddha's Delight Index" is used to conduct price surveys for ingredients.With this year's prices slightly higher than last year, most households tend to prepare affordable yet delicious New Year dishes.,Goose feet have been replaced with some high-calorie meats like

chicken

, which not only reduces the cost of ingredients but also ensures a lower calorie count.This year's "Buddha's Delight Index" survey included 10 types of ingredient items: sea cucumber, dried shiitake mushrooms, chestnuts , dried shrimp, dried bamboo shoots, goose feet, tendons, taro, pig stomach, and rock eggs. The overall Buddha's Delight Index for this year was calculated to be 10.375, marking a rise of 3.75% from the previous year.However, most dry goods markets saw price decreases; only dried shiitake mushrooms experienced a price increase due to reduced harvest, rising about 14% (from NT38.45 for 60 grams to NT85.5). Ingredients Swapped Out for Affordability and Wellness Due to safety concerns in food this year, the ingredients tend towards a more wellness-oriented route, which can also lower costs. Chef You Chaoxiong suggests that home cooks choose more economical alternatives; for example, using Taiwan button mushrooms instead of expensive shiitake mushrooms when prices rise.The main ingredients such as goose feet and tendons could be reduced or omitted, with choices like ribsalongside white

mushrooms

, wood ears, coral mushrooms to create a similar thickness of soup without the high fat and calorie content.

Since goose feet and trotters are high in fat and calories, for family members with high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases, Buddha's Delight should be consumed less often.Chef You also suggests trying this year's affordable wellness version of Buddha's Delight, which includes more high-fiber, health-conscious ingredients such as mallow seeds , apricot kernels, wood ears

, coral mushrooms and local Taiwanese produce to ensure freshness and safety.those with vascular diseases, less of the Fuzhaiwan dish should be consumed. Chef You Zhailong suggests trying this recently published affordable and health-oriented version of Fuzhaiwan instead.In addition to changing the main ingredients, it also includes more high-fiber, health-promoting foods like lotus root and mushroom, among others. Choosing local Taiwanese ingredients can further ensure freshness and safety.