World's longest potato noodle is longer than four football fields
The world's longest potato noodle has been cooked up in China - and it's longer than four football fields!
Measuring an impressive 500.152 metres (1,620 ft 11.04 in), this astonishing noodle was made in the Dao Bazai Township of Weichang Manchu and Mongol Autonomous County, Chengde, Hebei Province, China, which is a prime area for potato cultivation.
An American football field is 109.7 m (360 ft) long, meaning the noodle would cover more than four and a half of them.
Potato noodles are a beloved delicacy renowned for their delightful chewiness and soft texture.
Anyone who's cooked potato noodles will know the struggle - overcook them just a tad and you’re left with a gloopy mess. However, the noodles produced in Weichang County maintain their shape beautifully, no matter how long they're boiled.
This monumental challenge was tackled by a talented team of 14 skilled artisans, each a master in traditional handcrafting techniques.
Before the challenge kicked off, two food hygiene inspectors from the local market administration ensured everything was up to scratch, inspecting both the participants and their equipment.
Kneading the dough is a critical step; it directly affects the length of the noodles. Once the challenge commenced, four craftsmen joined forces, working together from four directions to knead a colossal batch of dough in a large pot for nearly half an hour.
When the lead craftsman deemed the dough ready, one of the team took a small piece, placing it into a gourd funnel - essentially a half gourd with a hole in the middle - letting the noodles flow into a massive pot of boiling water.
Another craftsman used a wooden pole to pull the noodles into a long tank filled with cold water, quickly cooling them to achieve that coveted pliable texture. The other craftsmen were stationed along the tank, guiding the noodles to the far end.
Next, one craftsman carefully lifted the noodles from the tank and placed them on a one-metre-long table for measurement.
Finally, two craftsmen rolled the noodles onto a wooden wheel, and after rigorous scrutiny from the GWR Adjudicator, it was officially announced: the world's longest potato noodle had been created!
The crowd erupted in applause, celebrating this remarkable achievement alongside the challengers, marking this glorious moment for posterity.
Coinciding with the Double Ninth Festival, this challenge not only showcased the charm of traditional craftsmanship but also elevated the profile of Weichang County’s potato industry, injecting fresh momentum into the local economy.