BEIJING — For almost 30 years, Dong Qiaofeng has sold tahini, an essential for many cold Chinese dishes, noodles and hot pot, at Beijing's Sanyuanli Market.
Until recently, her home-made sesame oil and tahini were the only things she sold, then she realized many of her customers were foreigners, with different tastes and expectations.
Now, her booth, only about 18 square meters, is filled with hundreds of seasonings from France, Italy, Spain, Germany and Thailand.
The home-made sesame oil and tahini now lurk under the cashier's desk, for special customers only.
"Few buy them except my regulars. I would have been destitute had I not caught on to the new trend," she said.