Pesto with Genovese basil, coarse salt, garlic, Ligurian extra virgin olive oil (Taggiasco), European pine nuts (sometimes toasted) and a grated cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano and pecorino sardo or pecorino romano. A proposal is under preparation by the Palatifini Association to have pesto alla genovese included in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list. There is a biennial international Genovese Pesto al Mortaio competition in which 100 finalists use traditional mortars and pestles as well as the above ingredients which are then assessed by 30 local and international judges. A slightly different version of this sauce exists in Provence,
Sweet bean sauce and maltose give the paste its distinctive sweet taste. Similar to hoisin sauce, sweet bean sauce may be used in dishes such as Peking Duck. It is also used as a sweeter substitute for saltier yellow soybean paste. In Northern China, the sauce is also eaten with raw scallions. There are many different types of sweet bean sauces. Recipes and methods of production vary depending on the geographical region and on manufacturer preferances. In northern China, more sugar is added to the sauce. In southern China, "mantou" flour instead of sugar is commonly used as the main ingredient. Traditionally, high-quality