Homemade Chinese Sugar-Coated Hawthorn: A Sweet New Fashion Trend

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

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:

  1. The hawthorn is good for digestion.
    山楂有助于消化。
    shān zhā yǒu zhù yú xiāo huà 。
  2. 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:

  1. 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 。
  2. 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!

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all new students.If you are not satisfied with our services within the first month, you may cancel your lessons and receive a refund for any unused lessons.We will only charge you for the first month of lessons, and refund the remaining balance to you promptly.Our goal is to ensure your satisfaction with our services, and we strive to provide the highest quality of instruction and support to all of our students.
Before starting any Chinese language course, the teacher will assess your Chinese language proficiency level through a placement test.This helps to determine your current level of understanding and ability in Chinese, and allows the teacher to tailor the course materials and teaching methods to your specific needs and goals. The placement test may include assessments of your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.Based on the results of the test, the teacher will be able to recommend an appropriate course of study for you.
We offer highly flexible class schedules that cater to your needs, with lessons available from 7am to 10pm Beijing time, seven days a week.This allows you to conveniently take lessons at any time and from any location that suits your schedule.
Thank you for choosing Chinese Learning for your language learning needs.If you need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, please do so at least 4 hours ahead of time. To request a cancellation, please send an email to ivy.wang @chineselearning.com or service @chineselearning.com.We appreciate your cooperation and understanding, and we look forward to providing you with the best learning experience possible."
Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.