The candied fruit snack called Tanghulu has become a sweet treat that many people want to try.
Tanghulu has a long history, but has recently seen a significant increase in popularity with people trying this treat in social media videos.
The candied fruit is aesthetically pleasing, traditionally served on a skewer with the shine of the sugary layer surrounding it.
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Many also enjoy that satisfying crunch heard when taking a bite of the fruit.
Do you want to try Tanghulu?
Tanghulu has become a viral dessert to make at home thanks to its increased presence on social media. (Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Here are expert tips for creating this sweet treat.
- What is tanghulu?
- What does tanghulu taste like?
- How do you make tanghulu?
1. What is tanghulu?
“Tanghulu is a fruit confection popularized during the Southern Song Dynasty,” Ivy Chen, chef and owner of Tang Hulu in New York, told Fox News Digital.
“It’s made by coating fruit skewers like hawthorns or strawberries with a layer of maltose caramel,” she also explained.
Chen highlighted tanghulu's presentation and crispy texture as facets that set the dessert apart from others.
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“The textural contrast and visually appealing presentation, coupled with the sweet and crunchy coating, and the natural juiciness of the fruits inside make tanghulu so unique and special,” Chen said.
2. What does tanghulu taste like?
The flavor profile you get from a bite of tanghulu will vary slightly depending on the type of fruit you use to prepare it.
Strawberries and hawthorn are common fruits to use, but there are many other options to experiment with, such as clementines or grapes.
Tanghulu delivers a satisfying crunch in every bite. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
“The taste of tanghulu is a delicious combination of sweet and tart with a crunchy texture thanks to a hardened caramel coating,” Chen said.
“Depending on the fruits used, [it] can range from mildly sweet to intensely flavorful.
3. How do you prepare tanghulu?
The process of making tanghulu is similar to making chocolate-covered strawberries, Chen noted.
“The process involves repeatedly dipping the fruit skewers in hot sugar syrup, much like making chocolate-covered strawberries,” Chen explained.
“The key is to cook the sugar until it’s hard.”
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If you want to try making tanghulu at home, Chen highlighted tips that can help you easily create the candied dessert.
When choosing which fruit to use for tanghulu, you should “select less ripe fruits to balance the sweetness of the sugar with the natural acidity of the fruit,” Chen said.
Before you start warming up your sugar, make sure all of your fruit is prepped on the skewers and ready to go. Chen also said that having ice and anti-burn gel nearby isn't a bad idea in case of unfortunate sugar burns.
When making tanghulu, be sure to dry your fruit before dipping it in sugar to get that thick, sweet coating. (Mu Yu/Xinhua via Getty Images)
When it comes to preparing fruit, Chen said to opt for room temperature fruit if you want a thinner sugar shell and refrigerated fruit if you prefer a thicker shell. You'll also want to make sure your fruit is thoroughly dried before dipping so you get a satisfyingly crunchy shell.
Also make sure your working environment is oil-free, Chen noted, because oil can cause sugar to recrystallize.
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“When the temperature reaches 340 degrees Fahrenheit, swirl the pan a few times and test again to make sure the sugar is heated evenly,” Chen said. “Then double-check the temperature to make sure it's cooked to the desired level.”
“Avoid stirring too hard, as this can also cause recrystallization,” she continued.
If your tanghulu isn't perfect the first time, don't give up.
Sometimes there can be a learning curve to overcome when making dessert, but with practice, you'll be enjoying the sweet fruit in no time.
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