Tanghulu

Tanghulu is a delightful Chinese street snack that combines fresh fruit with a crunchy, glossy sugar coating. The contrast of the juicy fruit and the hard candy creates a satisfying crunch that is irresistible with every bite.

This sweet treat is perfect for summer, offering a refreshing burst of flavor from the fruit paired with the satisfying crunch of the sugar coating. You can customize your tanghulu with your favorite fruits or even experiment with toppings like sesame seeds. It’s a fun, easy-to-make treat that brings both sweetness and texture in a bite-sized form.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

10-12 skewers
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon corn syrup
12-15 small fruits (grapes, strawberries, or tangerine slices)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Directions:

Prepare your fruits by washing and drying them thoroughly. If using grapes or berries, skewer them one by one onto your wooden sticks.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and corn syrup. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
Bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes until it reaches a syrupy consistency. Be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid burning.
Once the syrup has thickened, carefully dip each skewer of fruit into the syrup, ensuring the fruit is fully coated. Hold the skewer upright for a few seconds to allow the candy to harden.
Optionally, sprinkle sesame seeds over the candy coating for added texture and flavor.
Place the skewers on a parchment-lined tray to cool completely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes

Kcal: 100 kcal | Servings: 12-15 skewers

Tanghulu: The Sweet and Crispy Chinese Candied Fruit

Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese street food that has become beloved worldwide. This sweet treat consists of fresh fruit coated in a hard sugar shell, which creates a satisfying crunch when bitten into. While it originated in China, tanghulu has become incredibly popular in other parts of East Asia, especially in South Korea and Japan. Its simplicity, as well as its irresistible blend of textures and flavors, makes it a favorite among candy lovers of all ages.

The beauty of tanghulu lies in its straightforward yet delightful combination of juicy, fresh fruit and a crunchy, sweet sugar coating. The crisp sugar shell contrasts beautifully with the softness of the fruit, creating a delicious textural experience that keeps you coming back for more. This treat is typically served on skewers, making it perfect for snacking on the go or sharing with friends.

What Is Tanghulu?

At its core, tanghulu is a candy made by dipping fresh fruit into hot sugar syrup, which hardens around the fruit once it cools, forming a crispy coating. While hawthorn berries are traditionally used, strawberries, grapes, and mandarin slices are more commonly seen in modern variations. The result is a combination of sweet, crunchy, and refreshing flavors. Whether you’re enjoying it at a street stall in China or making it at home, tanghulu is a treat that offers both a sensory experience and a nostalgic journey to the heart of Chinese culinary culture.

The Popularity of Tanghulu

Tanghulu has grown in popularity far beyond its humble beginnings in China. It is frequently featured at Chinese New Year festivals, where vendors line the streets selling tanghulu on skewers, making it a nostalgic treat for many. But beyond special occasions, it has become a popular snack throughout the year in various countries. The crunchy sugar coating paired with the freshness of fruit makes it a refreshing alternative to other candy options, and it’s easy to see why people around the world are embracing this sweet treat.

One of the main reasons tanghulu has gained so much popularity is its visual appeal. The glossy candy coating creates a beautiful contrast against the vibrant colors of the fruit, making it a photo-worthy treat. This aspect has been especially embraced by social media users, where tanghulu photos and videos often go viral. Its simplicity makes it an easy and fun DIY recipe, and the colorful fruit on sticks appeals to a wide range of taste preferences.

Best Fruits to Use for Tanghulu

While tanghulu can be made with a variety of fruits, some are more commonly used than others. The most popular choices for tanghulu include:

Strawberries: Their bright red color and juicy, sweet flavor make them a favorite fruit for tanghulu.
Grapes: Small and easy to skewer, grapes are a delicious option for tanghulu, providing a burst of sweetness with every bite.
Mandarin Slices: The tangy sweetness of mandarins makes them a refreshing addition to tanghulu, balancing out the sugar coating perfectly.
Kiwi: Known for its tart flavor and vibrant green color, kiwi adds a unique twist to tanghulu and pairs beautifully with the sugar coating.
Crab Apples: These small, slightly tart apples are ideal for tanghulu, as they offer a crisp texture that contrasts well with the sugary exterior.

You can experiment with different fruit combinations to find your personal favorite. Each fruit brings its unique flavor and texture to the table, making tanghulu a versatile and customizable snack.

The Process of Making Tanghulu at Home

Making tanghulu at home is surprisingly easy once you understand the basic process. The most important thing to remember is that you need to work quickly, as the sugar syrup hardens fast once it’s ready. Before starting, ensure that your fruit is dry, as any moisture can cause the sugar coating to slide off or not harden properly. After drying and skewering your fruit, it’s time to prepare the sugar syrup.

You’ll need a saucepan to combine sugar and water, which is then heated to 300°F (150°C), the hard crack stage of candy making. At this temperature, the syrup will become thick and syrupy. Once it reaches the desired temperature, carefully dip each fruit skewer into the hot sugar syrup, ensuring the fruit is fully coated. After dipping, immediately dunk the fruit into ice water to harden the sugar coating quickly.

The final step is to place the coated fruit on a parchment-lined tray and let it cool. The candy coating will harden into a crisp, glass-like shell that makes tanghulu so distinctive.

Common Mistakes and Tips for Perfecting Tanghulu

One of the biggest challenges when making tanghulu is ensuring that the sugar syrup reaches the right temperature. If the syrup doesn’t reach 300°F, the candy won’t harden properly, resulting in a sticky mess instead of the desired crunchy shell. To avoid this, use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature closely. If your sugar syrup has crystallized or hardened too quickly, try reheating it with a bit of water to dissolve the sugar.

Another tip is to ensure your fruit is completely dry before dipping it into the syrup. Moisture can cause the syrup to slide off the fruit, so take the time to thoroughly pat your fruit dry with a paper towel before skewering it.

Cleaning up after making tanghulu can be tricky due to the hardened sugar. If you find yourself with a sticky mess in your pot, fill it with water and heat it on the stove until the sugar softens. This will help you easily remove the sugar residue from the pot.

Conclusion

Tanghulu is a fun and delicious treat that brings a bit of Chinese street food culture into your kitchen. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow process, it’s a dessert everyone can enjoy, whether as a special occasion treat or a fun family activity. The combination of crunchy, sugary coating and juicy fruit makes tanghulu irresistible, and its versatility allows for endless combinations of fruits to suit every taste.

Making tanghulu at home is a rewarding experience, and while it may take a few tries to perfect the technique, the results are well worth it. So next time you’re looking for a sweet snack that’s both fun and flavorful, grab some fruit and try making tanghulu – it’s a sweet treat that will satisfy your cravings and impress your friends and family.