Arxan's natural bounty finds fresh fans

Fu's affinity for the forest runs deep and stems from her childhood adventures with her father, who was a forest ranger.

In spring, he took her to see tender green shoots emerging. Summer excursions offered a glimpse of the verdant woods. Autumn expeditions involved gathering ripe fruits from the bountiful trees. All have become cherished childhood memories.

"Pine nuts were the most delicious childhood snacks," she says."My sister and I used to have snowball fights, but with pine cones."

For Fu, each pine cone is unique.

Across the seasons and the years, pine cones present in an array of colors, including pale yellow, golden yellow, light brown, and deep brown. Those that remain on the branch for more than two years undergo a gradual color transition, ranging from gray to black, she says.

Fu has been running a travel agency for 18 years. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, business took a severe hit. With plenty of free time, she began spending more time with her then 8-year-old son.