Introduction:
Have you ever wished to have a snack that is sweet to taste and crispy at the same time but not too filling? Welcome to Tanghulu Recipe – Your one-stop shopping store. This is one of the traditional Chinese dishes that has captured the hearts of many from the time the Chinese street food came into existence.
Let’s go a little further and consider a fruit coated in a candy that, when being taken a bite and crunched, melts in the mouth leaving a sensation of a sour fruit inside it. Well, the crisp texture of the fruit outside and the chewy texture of the syrup inside really bring out the goodness in the Tanghulu recipe. In this article, we will look at how you can prepare this easy and flashy snack in the comforts of your own home.
What is Tanghulu Recipe?
Tanghulu or candied hawthorn fruit is a traditional Chinese snack that has taken its roots in Northern China and has been in existence for more than 800 years. One of the most well-known candies of Russia which was originally prepared using hawthorn berries on a stick, coated in sugar syrup both kids and adults used to love. The concept of Tanghulu itself is amazing since to make it, we only require a few elements to work with.
Ingredients for Tanghulu Recipe:
Main Ingredients:
To make traditional Tanghulu, you’ll need:
- Hawthorn berries (or substitute with strawberries, grapes, or any small, firm fruit)
- Granulated sugar
- Water
These basic ingredients come together to create a magical snack that’s as fun to eat as it is to make.
Optional Add-Ons:
If you want to get creative, consider adding:
- Sesame seeds for an extra crunch
- Chili flakes for a spicy kick
- Flavored syrups like honey or maple for a unique twist
Preparing the Fruit:
It is recommended that before you start to prepare your fruit, make sure that the fruit is clean and dried. Moisture present on the fruits makes the sugar coating stick instead of making it to become crunchy. If you are to use hawthorn berries then you just have to wash them and wipe off the moisture. For other fruits such as strawberries or grapes, wash them carefully then carefully dry them before storage.
Skewering the Fruit:
When your fruit is ripe prepare them on bamboo sticks. Try to stick one strawberry to a stick if you are using this kind of fruit or arrange three or four grapes in a stick.
Making the Sugar Syrup:
The boiling of the sugar and water:
This is done by dissolving sugar in water where the ratio used is approximately 2:1, meaning a ratio of two-part sugar to one-part water. For instance, if the required amount of sugar to be mixed is one cup, then, it is mixed with half a cup of water. Add the mixture to a saucepan and heat over medium heat stirring until the sugar dissolves.
This is the most vital stage in making a Tanghulu recipe. To make the actual bits of sugar crystallize, you will need to boil the sugar syrup until it turns hard and chewy, or hard crack stage, about 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 Celsius).
In case you do not have a candy thermometer one more method that you can use in determining the stage of readiness of the syrup is to simply, drop a small capital of the syrup in a bowl of cold water. When it sets instantly and breaks when one taps on it then it is done.
Dipping the Fruit:
Here lies the second part of the movie which is all fun and frolics. When it is time to coat the fruit, submerge each of the fruit on the skewer gently into the hot sugar syrup so that all of the fruit is coated well. The syrup will set almost instantly and turn into a rather glossy caramelized skin over the fruit. Put the skewered cages on the parchment paper to cool as well as to prevent sticking to each other.
Adding Toppings:
In case you are using any toppings such as sesame seeds or chili flakes then garnish the fruit with these toppings while the sugar is still hot. Although water is rather terrible for pizza dough, it will help the toppings stick to the surface.
Serving and Enjoying Tanghulu Recipe:
Tanghulu is most preferred to be eaten fresh and the sugar coating must still be crunchy. Enjoy it as a snack or dessert, you can also consider it for parties. The choice of the outer layer to be crispy and the fruit to be soft and succulent will be loved by everybody.
Storage Tips For Tanghulu Recipe:
In case you have some leftovers (however, with such a dish it’s unlikely) then pack it into an airtight container and leave it at room temperature. However, Tanghulu is regarded as ideal to be consumed within the same day that it has been prepared because the sugar that is used to coat it tends to become soft after some time.
Troubleshooting Common Tanghulu Issues:
What Would Cause My Sugar Coating to Remain Sticky?
If your tanghulu’s sugar coating is not powdery and crisp but sticky that easily clings on your tongue then it may be because of excessive surface moisture on the fruits or the sugar syrup is not cooked properly until it thickens. Ensure that your fruit is very dry before dipping and also ensure that the syrup is boiled to the right temperature to the hard crack stage.
What Should I Do to Avoid Burning the Sugar?
Syrup can go from clear to caramelize in a flash which is why you want to keep an eye on the syrup while it cooks. It is recommended also to use a candy thermometer to monitor temperatures in a more precise manner.
Health Benefits of Tanghulu Recipe:
Even though Tanghulu is a confection, it has some advantages to health in some sense. With Tanghulu, a traditional Chinese recipe, the Hawthorn berries that are used require clarification because they are packed full of antioxidants and have been used traditionally in Traditional Chinese Medicine to help the heart. I know that if you’re choosing other fruits, you are getting vitamins and nutrients present in natural form.
Variations of Tanghulu:
Tanghulu with Different Fruits:
There are many recipes for the Tanghulu Candied Fruit, but Hawthorn berries are traditional, and you can use other berries instead. Well, any fruit, berries especially, strawberries, grapes, cherries – they’re perfect.
Tanghulu Recipe with Flavored Syrups:
To make a slight alteration to this recipe, one can add an ounce of flavored syrup to the sugar solution. The use of natural sweeteners such as maple syrup and honey or the subtle incorporation of vanilla extract makes a dramatic difference to the taste of the Tanghulu recipe.
Reflection of Cultural Value in Tanghulu Recipe:
Tanghulu recipe is not just tasty yet it is inextricably intertwined with China’s traditions. It is a snack that has commonly been sold by street vendors, especially during the cold season, and has become many a symbol of childhood. These are sweet and sour fruits covered with a beautiful red-colored shinny sugar coat, therefore, Tanghulu is particularly taken during festive seasons.
Conclusion About Tanghulu Recipe:
It is always fun to make Tanghulu recipe at home and the whole process is quite interesting. All that is needed is a few ingredients as well as time and you can have this marvelous snack that looks as great as it tastes. No matter what change you make to the authentic recipe of Tanghulu recipe, it one way or the other, is going to be a favorite.
Well then, why not take a stab at it? Next time when your taste buds are screaming for a new flavor, just let them know it is coming their way.
FAQs Related To Tanghulu Recipe:
Q1: Can I use other fruits instead of hawthorn berries?
Ans: Yes for example you can use strawberries, grapes, or cherry to prepare Tanghulu. The only thing you have to be watchful of is the raw fruit which should preferably be firm and dry before it is coated in the sugar syrup.
Q2: What must be done to maintain the sugar coating crunchy?
Ans: To maintain the crispy nature of the sugar coat, Tanghulu should be stored at room temperature with no exposure to moisture and in an air-tight container.
Q3: If your sugar syrup is burnt what do I do next?
Ans: If you overcook the sugar syrup then you should start all over again. Sugar can caramelize very fast, so monitor the temperature of sugar syrup and take it out of the stove immediately after it gets to the hard crack point.
Q4: Is Tanghulu Healthy Snack?
Ans: Although Tanghulu is a sweet delicacy, it can be made healthier for consumption by using fresh fruits. In particular, Hawthorn berries are very rich in antioxidants and provide benefits to health.
Q5: How do I prepare Tanghulu if I don’t have a candy thermometer at home?
Ans: Indeed, it is possible, to check the readiness of the sugar syrup, it is possible to drop a bit of it into the cold water. When it becomes hard and cracks then it is ready for coating or dipping.
Read Outside: Tanghulu Recipe – The Chinese Desserst
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