Candied Hawthorn (Tanghulu)
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese confection consisting of fruits skewered on a stick and coated with a hardened sugar syrup. Originally from China, it is commonly found in street stalls and night markets across mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions with Chinese cultural influence in East Asia. While hawthorn berries were traditionally used as the main ingredient, a variety of fruits such as strawberries, muscat grapes, grapes, and tomatoes have become popular in recent years, resulting in a range of variations depending on the region and era. Tanghulu is also a popular sweet in places like Taipei's Linjiang Street Night Market in Taiwan, where it is enjoyed by both tourists and locals.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 40 New Taiwan Dollar
- Meal Date
- 5/6/2023
- Food Travel Log
- A Chinese gourmet dish with a life-saving history: tanghulu. The sugar-coated grapes glistened like jewels against the night sky. They were crispy and juicy, initially made with hawthorn but now featuring various fruits over centuries. The story behind it adds to its charm.
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview of Tanghulu
Tanghulu (Chinese: 糖葫蘆, Pinyin: táng hú lu) is a traditional confection widely enjoyed in China and other East Asian regions. It typically consists of fruit skewered on a stick and coated in a hard sugar glaze. Known since ancient times as a staple snack at street stalls and night markets in the Chinese-speaking world, Tanghulu is especially famous as originating from northern China, particularly Beijing. In recent years, diverse variations have spread to places like Taiwan and Hong Kong. Tanghulu can be found at Taipei’s Linjiang Street Night Market and is a popular sweet among both tourists and locals.
History and Origins
The history of Tanghulu is said to date back to the Song Dynasty (late 10th to early 13th century), making it one of the oldest traditional confections in China. According to a popular origin tale, when a Chinese emperor fell ill, a court physician had him eat hawthorn fruit (Crataegus pinnatifida) coated in honey, which resulted in the emperor’s recovery. Because of this, Tanghulu has been recognized not only as a sweet treat, but also as a food with digestive and stomach-soothing properties.
Ingredients and Evolution of Preparation
Traditionally, hawthorn fruit was most commonly used for Tanghulu, but in modern times, a wide variety of fruits are now utilized, such as grapes, strawberries, bananas, kiwifruit, and pineapple. Recent variations include muscat grapes and small tomatoes. Multiple pieces of fruit are skewered, coated with heated sugar syrup or maltose, and then cooled until the candy hardens, resulting in a glossy, crunchy surface.
Typical Preparation Method
- Wash the chosen fruit (commonly hawthorn, or seasonal fruits), then skewer them.
- Heat sugar or maltose syrup until it becomes candy-like.
- Dip the skewered fruits into the syrup for coating.
- Cool to harden the candy coating.
Hawthorn is highly tart, which perfectly balances the sweetness of the candy coating, while fruits like grapes and strawberries add juiciness and refreshing tartness, evolving Tanghulu into a treat with more diversified flavors.
Regional Variations
In mainland China, Tanghulu is most often made with hawthorn, but in Taiwan, due to climate and fruit distribution, muscat grapes, strawberries, and yellow tomatoes are common in night markets. Similar confections are found in Hong Kong, Macau, and South Korea, with each region employing local ingredients. Recently, colorful Tanghulu focusing on health-consciousness and visual appeal have grown popular on social media, especially among younger generations.
Social Role of Tanghulu
Tanghulu is often eaten as a lucky charm during New Year’s and winter festivals, usually enjoyed with festive attire, symbolizing annual traditions and family togetherness in the Chinese-speaking world. Nowadays, as Tanghulu is easily available at night markets year-round, it also serves as an icon of tourism and food culture.
Health and Nutrition
| Component | Typical Content | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | High (mainly from sugar) | Source of energy; caution required not to overconsume |
| Vitamin C | Abundant, from fruit | Boosts immune system and provides antioxidant effects |
| Dietary Fiber | From fruit | Contributes to improved gut health |
Tanghulu is a traditional street food suited for energy replenishment and a mood boost, but due to the high sugar content of the candy coating, overconsumption should be avoided for health reasons. In addition, changing the type of fruit used can alter the nutritional value and flavor profile, which has contributed to its recent surge in popularity.
Conclusion
Tanghulu is a traditional confection with a long history and many variations, beloved by people of all ages throughout the Chinese-speaking world to this day. It remains a memorable presence in night markets across Asia, including Linjiang Street Night Market in Taipei, and is a testament to the continual evolution of food culture from China across eras and regions.