Behind the gift | Fly by Jing
As Christmas quickly approaches the demands of our gifts not only become great, but they also become varied! Some loved ones require strong statements in a gift and for others simple nods of celebration will do. Often what ends up happening is that these smaller gifts get over looked and we resort to something with a little less purpose or meaning.
However, we firmly believe they are not to be overlooked! Which is why we want to highlight a perfect ‘small gift’ that actually packs quite a punch — in both flavour and meaning.
Introducing the trendiest hot sauce you can find with the most beautiful story and mission — Fly by Jing. It’s so good that Drew Berrymore recently recommended it to her millions of Instagram followers. And we have to agree with her! The flavours are addicting and comforting, versatile yet authentic to its Chinese roots. This is no ordinary hot sauce, in so many ways.
Fly by Jing is born out of Chengdu, where Jing the founder was also born. Chengdu, China is located in Sichuan province, a province famous for its delicious spicy food and fragrant spices. Today, Jing’s mission is to redefine what it means to be “Made in China” as she forges her own path in the culinary world. Jing has already made quite a mark with these sauces, as they are the first 100% all-natural Sichuan chilli sauce, proudly crafted in Chengdu.
The name of her business “Fly by Jing” pays homage to her hometown. As she explains:
“I was inspired by the bustling ‘fly restaurants’ of Chengdu, old-school eateries that still dot the city, and despite being run-down and decrepit, are so delicious that they’re said to attract people like flies,” she says. “In some ways, these remnants of old Chengdu are the very soul of what defines Sichuan cuisine — a hearty, bold tradition centered around community that began on the streets and in people’s homes.”
It is clear that Jing understand the responsibility she has in representing a culture and culinary history that is a part of her, but that so many misunderstand. Her sauces, as delicious as they are, are much more than just a topping. They educate us about what real Sichuan food is and start a conversation around Chinese culture on a deeper level than many of us venture to go ourselves.
Jing describes Chinese food culture perfectly when she says:
“You can’t grasp the depth and complexity of China’s 5,000 year food culture without visiting the source. Even then, it would take years to travel through the land and experience the evolution of the cuisine over time and across geographies. The journey of discovering Chinese cuisine is constant because it’s dynamic and ever-changing, and that’s what makes it so fascinating.”
These sauces bottle up thousands of years of tradition and coming together to enjoy a meal. They are an emblem of some of the oldest traditions on earth and one of richest food cultures one can taste. This is a perfect gift this holiday season as many of us similarly come together around a table and gather around our own food traditions. So why not spice them up a little?
Thank you to Jing for her fierce dedication to quality and tradition with the ability to create with curiosity and innovation.
