Zhou Xiangfang, 71, a villager from Zhangcun village, Zhangshui town, Ningbo's Haishu district, harvests xiangchun, or tender leaves of Chinese toon. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Xiangchun, or Chinese toon sprouts, is a seasonal vegetable that is popular in spring.

Over the past few days, Zhou Xiangfang, a villager from Zhangcun village, Zhangshui town, Ningbo's Haishu district has been busy harvesting the prized vegetable which costs between 120 and 140 yuan per kilogram in the fresh produce market.

The 71-year-old has planted nearly 100 Chinese toon trees, with the oldest being over 30 years. The farmer, with the help of his wife Yang Chun'e, took half a day to harvest a 5kg basket of xiangchun.

Xiangchun has a strong and rich aroma that some find hard to accept.

People usually fry xiangchun with eggs or tofu. In Zhangshui town, people prefer to mix the leaves with sesame oil and soy sauce after blanching them in boiling water.

According to Zhou, xiangchun that is picked before the Qingming Festival tastes better. As such, the price of the vegetable is usually halved after the festival.          

Zhou Xiangfang, 71, a villager from Zhangcun village, Zhangshui town, Ningbo's Haishu district, presents a bundle of xiangchun to his wife. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

Zhou Xiangfang, 71, a villager from Zhangcun village, Zhangshui town, Ningbo's Haishu district, harvests xiangchun, or tender leaves of Chinese toon. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]