Top 10 Traditional Chinese Candies

2024-3-31|2024-4-6
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In this post, we embark on a sweet journey through the fascinating world of traditional Chinese candies.
Devoured across centuries, these candies hold a special place in China's cultural heritage and continue to be a beloved part of the country's culinary landscape.
This top 10 list uncovers the unique flavors, history, and cultural significance of these sweets from different regions of China. From the crispy delight of Beijing candy, the milky smoothness of Shanghai's famous milk candy, the fruity freshness of Guangzhou's fruit candy, to the chewy goodness of Taiwanese nougat, each candy tells a story of its own. We'll also explore the delicious secrets of Suzhou candy, Xiaogan Sesame Candy, Jiujiang Osmanthus Crisp Candy, Tu Men Tribute Candy, Liaoyang Tower Sugar, and Rugao Dong Candy. Join us as we unwrap the sweetness of China's candy-making tradition.

1. Beijing Crispy Candy

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Beijing Crispy Candy is one of the three famous candies in China and has a long history in the country. As one of the traditional famous snacks in the Beijing area, it has always enjoyed a great reputation, especially the Red Shrimp Crispy Candy is a top-grade product. Beijing Crispy Candy has a long production history, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, and it is praised by celebrities of all generations for its reputation: "After a cup of tea, a piece of candy is refreshing to swallow, fine chewing of sweet osmanthus is beautiful, sweet and crispy leaving a hemp aroma". The crispy candy is evenly distributed with maltose bones, and when eaten, the crispy candy is sweet and fragrant, the osmanthus is rich in aroma, and the bones are crisp and dissolve immediately upon entry.

2. Shanghai Milk Candy

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Shanghai Milk Candy is one of the most famous candies in China. Among them, White Rabbit Milk Candy is one of the most famous characteristic candies in China. It was born in 1943 and was developed by the Shanghai ABC Candy Factory using liquid glucose, white sugar, milk powder, and other raw materials. The White Rabbit Milk Candy has a white cylindrical appearance, a soft and chewy texture, and each piece contains 20 calories.
White Rabbit Milk Candy is loved by the Chinese and appears in many classic film and television works. It was also a good companion for Prime Minister Zhou Enlai during overtime. In recent years, White Rabbit Milk Candy has continuously launched innovative products, such as the 60th anniversary commemorative gift box and the cartoon rabbit series of candies, attracting more young consumers.
White Rabbit Milk Candy is still an unforgettable taste of childhood for the Chinese and is part of Shanghai's urban culture.

3. Guangzhou Fruit Candy

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Guangzhou Fruit Candy is one of the famous specialty candies in China, originated from the traditional candy making process in Guangzhou, Guangdong. It uses fresh fruits such as litchi and longan as raw materials, and is made through processes such as sugar boiling and molding. Guangzhou Fruit Candy is colorful in appearance, unique in shape, soft and sweet in texture, and is deeply loved by consumers.
This candy has a long history, which can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, and is one of the traditional candies in the Lingnan region. Guangzhou Fruit Candy is not only a local specialty snack, but also one of the representatives of Chinese traditional candy culture. In recent years, with the development of Guangzhou Candy Factory, the types and flavors of fruit candies have been continuously enriched, such as glutinous rice dumplings, osmanthus flavor, and princess laugh, satisfying the needs of different consumers.
Guangzhou Fruit Candy has become a representative of Chinese characteristic candies, and enjoys a high reputation at home and abroad. It is a part of Guangzhou city culture.

4. Taiwanese Nougat Candy

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Taiwanese Nougat Candy is one of the distinctive candies in China, originated from the traditional candy making craft in Taiwan. It is made from ingredients such as milk powder, sugar, butter, and egg whites, and is produced through processes such as boiling sugar, pulling sugar, and cutting into pieces. The appearance of Taiwanese Nougat Candy is white or colorful, with a soft and elastic texture, and a rich and sweet taste.
This candy originated in 15th century Italy and later spread to Taiwan, incorporating local characteristics. Taiwanese Nougat Candy is not only a local traditional snack, but also one of the representative works of Chinese candy culture. In recent years, with the development of Taiwanese candy factories, the types and flavors of nougat candy have been continuously enriched, such as adding peanuts, almonds, walnuts and other nuts, or pairing with oranges, mangoes and other fruits, satisfying the needs of different consumers.
Taiwanese Nougat Candy has become a representative of Chinese characteristic candies, enjoying a good reputation at home and abroad, and is a unique dietary culture in Taiwan.

5. Suzhou Candy

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Suzhou candy, as a representative of traditional Chinese candy, is known at home and abroad for its wide variety and unique flavor. Rich pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, melon seeds, as well as peanuts, sesame and other natural fruits are scattered in various candies. Take a light bite, it's sweet and crispy, oily but not sticky; the fragrance of flowers and fruits slowly wraps around the tip of the tongue, instantly refreshing the heart and spleen... Pine nut soft candy, plum cake, nine-made tangerine peel, agarwood olives, and the whole body yellow transparent zongzi sugar, carry how many sweet memories and beautiful expectations. The production skills of Cai Zhizhai Suzhou candy have the characteristics of excellent, fine and rigorous. They adopt the traditional Chinese method of simmering sugar over a clear fire, and add natural fruit supplements, plants, and flowers for processing.

6. Xiaogan Sesame Candy

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Xiaogan Sesame Candy is one of the famous traditional snacks in Xiaogan City, Hubei Province. It is mainly made of refined glutinous rice, high-quality sesame, white sugar, and maltose, accompanied by osmanthus, peanuts, almonds, and orange cakes, etc. It is made through 12 process flows and 32 steps. Xiaogan Sesame Candy has a long history and was once a tribute to the court. Its shape is like a comb, its flavor is unique, the sesame scent is crisp, the taste is delicious, and it is rich in nutrition, which is deeply loved by people.

7. Jiujiang Osmanthus Crisp Candy

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Jiujiang Osmanthus Crisp Candy, also known as "Osmanthus Double Wall", is a traditional famous product of Jiujiang. It is made from selected high-gluten flour, white sesame, white granulated sugar, maltose, and sugar osmanthus. It is finely made and its color is milky white with a delicate texture. It has the characteristics of crispness, sesame aroma, oily, sweet and refreshing, and mellow. It also has the effects of nourishing the lungs, strengthening the stomach, and relieving coughs. It is a flavorful food that is popular with tourists, especially women, children, and the elderly.

8. Tu Men Tribute Candy

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Tu Men Tribute Candy is a unique snack in Quanzhou, and a traditional pastry specialty of Quanzhou. It is said that in ancient times, the ancestors of Quanzhou offered tributes to the court, creating nearly a hundred kinds of desserts, among which this candy was favored by the emperor, hence the name "Tribute Candy". This variety has a sweet taste, crispy in the fragrance, greatly appreciated by the emperor, and has been passed down from generation to generation. Because their descendants settled in Tu Men Street in Quanzhou and operated there, it is called "Tu Men Tribute Candy", and it is a well-known delicious dessert in Quanzhou.

9. Liaoyang Tower Sugar

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Tower Sugar is a traditional famous snack with a long history in Liaoyang City, Liaoning Province. Tower Sugar not only has a special flavor, but its appearance is also beautiful, similar to plum blossom shape with many holes. It tastes crispy, fragrant and delicious, with a white and fine color, unchanged in summer heat.
So, why is Tower Sugar, which looks like a plum blossom, called Tower Sugar? This has to do with the White Tower in Liaoyang.
According to the "Liaoyang County Chronicles", "About half a mile northwest of the city, there is a tower with thirteen layers, which is forty-eight feet and five inches tall. At the south of the tower is Guangyou Temple... South of the temple is a well. The water drawn from the well to make sugar does not stick in summer, so it is called Tower Sugar..." The well water is said to be gushed out of the sea eye under the White Tower, and the water is clear and sweet. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the local people used this water to make tower sugar and brew locust flower honey wine, which was a tribute to the court at that time.

10. Rugao Dong Candy

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Rugao Dong Candy is a delicious specialty from Nantong, a part of the Suzhou-style pastry, produced in Rugao, Jiangsu.
Rugao Dong Candy mainly uses refined flour, white sugar, sesame, and maltose as raw materials. It is made through the processes of material selection, sugar boiling, sugar core making, sugar bone making, and molding.
The core is made by roasting and grinding sesame, first separating the skin and kernel, and then roasting it to a light yellow. The heat and timing must be just right to avoid burning, which makes the sesame aroma rich. The process of making the sugar bone requires ensuring its good extensibility and successful shaping. The final process is to spread the sugar bone, evenly match it with the sugar core, repeatedly fold it, and press it into shape. The finished product is a flat rectangular shape, white with a slight yellow color, clear layers, and a spiral texture when cut open. The center is like a phoenix eye; it melts in the mouth, is crispy, sweet, and has a long aftertaste.
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