銆€銆€Ba Wenhan goes deep into mountains to collect bamboo shoots. [Photos by Zhao Xia / For China Daily]

銆€銆€Ba bought 30 kg of those shoots from Wawu Mountain and launched his Taobao store.

銆€銆€He usually travels alone.

銆€銆€"I usually ask along the way before finding the farmers who might possess a famous delicacy," he says.

銆€銆€He recalls his visit to a small restaurant near Luocheng, a remote town in Qianwei county. The moment he entered the eatery, all the diners, who recognized that he was a stranger in the town, stared at him.

銆€銆€Ba says despite the unfriendly vibe he received at the restaurant, he mustered the courage to speak to the diners and owner.

銆€銆€His efforts paid off - the cook shared information about a local family who makes the famous Luocheng beef jerky.

銆€銆€"The family started making the beef jerky in 1932 and never uses artificial coloring or preservative. To make the beef pleasantly red, they introduce a medicinal herb which is beneficial to health," Ba says.

銆€銆€Ba's unique vocation definitely has not been a walk in the park.

銆€銆€Sometimes, Ba has to plod for a substantial distance alone. In some of the mountainous areas, there are no cellphone signals for several days.

銆€銆€In winter, the mountain path is covered with snow and dangerous.

銆€銆€What he fears most during his journey are dogs.

銆€銆€"Dogs in mountainous areas are wild. As they seldom see other living beings, they get very excited and fierce," he says.

銆€銆€Even though Ba is careful about his purchases, he has made mistakes.

銆€銆€His first batch of dried bamboo shoots from the Wawu Mountain had been soaked in water and turned moldy very quickly.

銆€銆€"The farmer soaked the bamboo shoots so that they look better," he says.

銆€銆€Ba continues to learn and takes notes wherever he goes. He has now compiled four diaries detailing how to distinguish quality food and ingredients from substandard ones.