Pingding dried cucumber is a specialty of Hougou and Hetou villages in Pingding county. The two villages boast the longest history, best making technique and largest sales of the snack in the county.

It emerged during the reign of Emperor Hongwu (1368-1398) in the Ming Dynasty.

It is tasty, crispy and fragrant and is a widely popular snack. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it was offered to the imperial family as tributes and honored as the "rib of the dragon".

The snack is made of high-quality young cucumbers, which contain various nutrients, such as vitamins, potassium salt, amino acids, and sugar. It is known to strengthen gastrointestinal peristalsis and lower cholesterol.

Besides local consumption, the food is also sold in Beijing and Tianjin.

After China's reform and opening-up, local villagers expanded the plantation area and upgraded the management. The industrialization and unified marketing strategy have greatly promoted the sales and expanded the presence of the products at home and abroad. It has also won many honors at agricultural expos of various levels.