Dragon’s Beard candy is a traditional Chinese candy made from fine cotton candy spun by hand and filled with ingredients like peanuts or coconut. It has a short shelf life and is difficult to preserve, making it a rare find.
Dragon’s Beard candy is a traditional Chinese candy made from fine cotton candy. Many people believe that this candy was invented for ancient emperors and has been a part of Chinese cuisine for thousands of years. It takes its name from its soft and thin texture, which closely resembles the beard seen on the mythical Chinese dragon. This candy is similar to the cotton candy consumed in other parts of the world, but is spun by hand rather than in a machine. It also differs in that it can be filled, whereas cotton candy is made from pure cotton candy with no fillers.
To make dragon’s beard candy, cooks start by heating a type of sugary product. Traditional recipes call for brown sugar, although modern versions may include corn syrup or maltose. Once the heated sugar is allowed to cool, it forms a solid block.
The makers then stretch and fold this block of sugar to form thousands of fine sugary strands. By continuously pulling and stretching the sugar, they can create a light and airy texture. The strands are then wrapped into a small rounded shape to form each piece of candy. When the strands are pulled and formed, they must be rolled or dipped in some form of powder to prevent sticking. This powder can come in the form of rice flour, cornstarch, or even powdered sugar depending on the desired flavor and texture of the candy.
While dragon’s beard candies can be eaten plain, they’re often filled with other ingredients to create contrasting flavors and textures. Some manufacturers use ground or crushed peanuts, while others may add sesame seeds or other nuts. Roasted coconut is also a popular filler in this candy.
The process of making dragon beard candy is considered a lost art, even in China. Part of this is due to cultural and social changes, but it can also be attributed to the very short shelf life of the product. Dragon Beard candy should be eaten within minutes of its preparation. Otherwise, it will harden into a sticky mass and lose its fine, airy structure.
The difficulty in preserving this candy has made it difficult to find. Some Chinese still make it at home, and others set up small booths or carts in the Chinatown section of cities around the world. This attracts people who are attracted by the art of making this candy as well as its sweet and delicate taste and texture. One company has figured out a way to store the candy and mail it, but it’s relatively expensive, and some people argue that it just doesn’t taste like freshly made candy.
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