Homemade Chinese Sugar-Coated Hawthorn: A Sweet New Fashion Trend
Have you heard about the recent craze for sugar-coated hawthorn in China? This traditional Chinese snack consists of bright red hawthorn fruits skewered on bamboo sticks, coated with a translucent layer of sugar, offering a delightful blend of sweetness and sourness. Often seen at temple fairs or on the streets, its alluring appearance and unique sweet and tangy flavor appeal to both adults and children alike, carrying with it sweet memories and embodying the taste of China. Recently, there has been a small wave of making sugar-coated hawthorn at home on the internet, where the traditional street snack can be replicated at home, so let's make it together!
The process of making sugar-coated hawthorn山楂(shān zhā) is not overly complicated, making it accessible for many novice cooks.
山楂 (shān zhā), noun, hawthorn
Examples:
- The hawthorn is good for digestion.
山楂有助于消化。
shān zhā yǒu zhù yú xiāo huà 。 - She made jam with hawthorn.
她用山楂做了果酱。
tā yòng shān zhā zuò le guǒ jiàng 。
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Hawthorn (or your favorite fruits like strawberries, grapes, oranges, bananas, etc.)
- Granulated sugar
- Bamboo skewers
- Water
Preparing the Fruit:
Thoroughly wash the fruits to remove any dust and impurities from the surface. If using hawthorn, it is best to remove the pits for easier consumption; for strawberries, remove the stems; and for bananas, cut them into small pieces. Then, let the prepared fruits dry in a ventilated place or pat them dry with kitchen paper towels to ensure that there is no surface moisture on the fruits, as it could affect the sugar coating.
Making the Sugar Syrup糖浆(táng jiāng):
糖浆 (táng jiāng), noun, syrup
Examples:
- The doctor prescribed some syrup for my cough.
医生给我开了些止咳糖浆。
yī shēng gěi wǒ kāi le xiē zhǐ ké táng jiāng 。 - This syrup tastes sweet.
这种糖浆尝起来很甜。
zhè zhǒng táng jiāng cháng qǐ lái hěn tián 。
In a ratio of 2:1 sugar to water, place the granulated sugar and water in a saucepan. For example, 200 grams of sugar paired with 100 grams of water.
Bring the water to a boil over high heat until the sugar completely dissolves in the water. Then, reduce the heat and simmer slowly. Avoid stirring the syrup during this process, as stirring may cause the syrup to crystallize and impact its texture.
As the cooking time increases, the syrup will gradually thicken, and its color will change from white to pale yellow. To test if the syrup is ready, dip a chopstick into the syrup and then into cold water. If the syrup quickly solidifies and has a crisp texture when bitten, it indicates that the syrup is well-cooked.
Coating the Fruit:
Quickly dip the skewered fruits into the syrup to evenly coat them with a layer of sugar. Use a spoon to pour the syrup over the fruits, ensuring that every part is coated with the syrup.
Once the fruits are coated with sugar, promptly remove the sugar-coated hawthorn and place them on a non-stick board or an oiled plate prepared in advance to allow the syrup to cool and solidify naturally.
On social media, people have been sharing their homemade sugar-coated hawthorn creations, showcasing various creatively crafted sugar-coated hawthorn. Some combine fruits like strawberries, bananas, oranges into colorful skewers; some add flavors of chocolate, matcha, etc., to the syrup for a more diverse taste; and some shape the sugar-coated hawthorn into adorable cartoon shapes, making it irresistible. These creatively homemade sugar-coated hawthorn not only satisfy people's taste buds but also serve as a unique artistic creation.
The trending popularity of homemade sugar-coated hawthorn has brought warmth and liveliness to family kitchens. Gathering around, families work together to make sugar-coated hawthorn, with children helping skewer the fruits, and adults handling the syrup coating, creating a joyous and laughter-filled atmosphere. Strings of sugar-coated hawthorn are passed around, conveying a profound sense of closeness and happiness. In this fast-paced era, such special family moments become exceptionally treasured.
Whether triggering nostalgic childhood flavors or seeking healthy and personalized culinary experiences, homemade sugar-coated hawthorn has become a new choice for many. Let's join this trend and create our own sweet flavors in the kitchen together!