Dried Butterfly–a beloved Pingtan specialty crafted from premium mussels

Pingtan, a coastal area in China surrounded by the sea and free from industrial pollution, has long been renowned for its high-quality seafood. Recently, one of its local specialties—known locally as "Dried Butterfly" has made its mark nationally, becoming a sought-after product at agricultural trade fairs across the country. Dried Butterfly is carefully processed from mussels and gets its name because its shape resembles that of a butterfly.

At a recent national agricultural products fair, Pingtan Dried Butterfly (also referred to as Dried Mussel Meat) attracted considerable attention from visitors and business partners, with numerous purchase orders secured on-site. This success comes on the heels of a series of honors: the product has been included in the National List of Famous, Special, Premium, and New Agricultural Products, and in September this year, it won the "Most Popular Product Award" at a major industry event. What was once a favorite among locals has now become a local specialty recognized nationwide.

The secret behind the product's popularity lies in its top-tier raw materials and time-honored craftsmanship. The thick-shelled mussels used to make Dried Butterfly are cultivated in Pingtan's clean coastal waters, which provide an ideal environment for their growth. Gao Renbing, a local mussel farmer, shared his experience in cultivating mussels, saying, "We focus on raising mussels that are more than three years old—this ensures the meat is tender and flavorful. Thanks to improved breeding techniques, the yield has quadrupled compared to before."

Villagers in Baisha Village dry mussel meat under the sun.

Traditional craftsmanship also plays a crucial role in maintaining the product's quality. Lin Yunsheng and his brother, who have been producing Dried Butterfly in Baisha Village for nearly 40 years, adhere to strict standards in their production process. "We only use thick-shelled mussels that are over eight years old," Lin explained. "This dedication to quality has helped us build a good reputation, and now we receive more orders than we can handle sometimes."

Award-winning packaging design for Dried Butterfly, blending local maritime charm

To further promote the product, local teams have upgraded its packaging and branding. The award-winning packaging of Pingtan Dried Butterfly features an orange-gold color scheme, with sides designed to echo the product's butterfly-like shape—reinforcing its iconic name. It also includes illustrations of fishermen drying mussel meat, showcasing Pingtan's rich maritime culture. A local company has launched the brand "Jiaoshi Ji" (Reef Story) for the product, and during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, gift boxes of the marine product became a popular choice for holiday gifts. 

The boom has created a direct and positive impact on the local community. The growing demand for Dried Butterfly has encouraged more residents to engage in mussel farming, and local authorities and enterprises have helped streamline the sales channel. This has allowed farmers to focus on improving the quality of their mussels without worrying about finding buyers, creating a positive cycle for the local seafood industry.