Hey, everyone! Today, let's talk about a shining gem in traditional Chinese cuisine – Candied Hawthorn. It's not just a tasty snack; it holds a legendary story, and let's dig into it together.
Rewind to the Southern Song Dynasty
In an era of rampant warfare, there was a unique emperor – Emperor Song Guangzong, known as the "White-Haired Emperor" due to his fully white hair. Despite residing in the imperial palace, he was oblivious to worldly affairs, completely controlled by ministers and the Empress Dowager. At this time, his beloved consort, Lady Huang, fell seriously ill, casting a gloom over the entire palace.
The Magical Treatment of Wandering Healers
Imperial physicians were helpless, and various precious herbs failed to alleviate Lady Huang's symptoms. The emperor, desperate to save his beloved, decided to seek help through an open proclamation. Enter a wandering healer with a seemingly incredible remedy: boil candied hawthorn with red fruits (hawthorn), consume five to ten pieces before each meal, and within half a month, health would be restored. Initially met with skepticism, the people decided to give it a try for Lady Huang's sake. Miraculously, Lady Huang's condition improved day by day, bringing joy to the emperor.
Birth and Inheritance of Candied Hawthorn
This miraculous treatment spread to the common folk. People began emulating the palace method, threading vibrant hawthorn fruits onto bamboo sticks, coating them with translucent sugar syrup, thus creating the familiar Candied Hawthorn.
Today, Candied Hawthorn goes by different names in various regions, owing to differences in geography and taste. Here are some regional variations: Beijing calls it Tanghulu（糖葫芦） or Bing Tanghulu（冰糖葫芦）; Tianjin refers to it as Tangdun（糖礅）; Qingdao calls it Tangqiu（糖球）, and in Minnan dialect, it's known as Lî-á-siⁿ（李仔攕）, Niāo lí á kho（鸟梨仔膏）, or Niāo lí á-thâng （鸟梨仔糖）("Niāo lí á" refers to the small, slightly sour pickled pear inside, while "thâng" and "kho" both refer to the outer red syrup). Regardless of the name, Candied Hawthorn remains a delicious traditional snack loved by people worldwide.
Candied Hawthorn is not just a delectable traditional snack; it's a story full of legend. Just like learning Chinese, each bite of Candied Hawthorn is a fulfilling experience. At LingoAce, we are dedicated to providing an immersive, enjoyable, and effective Chinese learning experience for bilingual children aged 3-15 worldwide. Let's step into the enchanting world of language and explore more fascinating stories together!
