The Holo Candy has a unique origin, significance, and preparation method that is sure to surprise many.
“When I was a child, I always thought it was a type of chewy candy coated in sugar, until I tried it and realized I was completely mistaken,” shares a girl who traveled to Beijing and enjoyed the legendary Holo Candy, a treat closely associated with the childhood of many people through Chinese historical martial arts films.
In fact, many people have held similar misconceptions; some even believe that Holo Candy is made from round sugar balls or a special type of candy.
However, all of these ingredients are incorrect. To understand this candy better, let’s “travel back in time” to discover three fascinating facts about its origin, significance, and unique preparation method of this traditional Chinese delicacy.
The Interesting Origin of Holo Candy
Holo Candy – a treat that is linked to the childhood of many through Chinese historical martial arts films.
Holo Candy, known in Chinese as 糖葫芦 (Tánghúlu) or 冰糖葫芦 (Bīngtánghúlu), has been documented to have appeared over 800 years ago, beginning in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Legend has it that within the palace, there was a favorite concubine of Emperor Song Guangzong who fell gravely ill. The royal physicians tried various methods to heal her, but none were successful. Her condition worsened, leading her to stop eating and drinking for days, and her health deteriorated.
The emperor, deeply worried, issued a decree calling for renowned doctors from all corners, promising generous rewards for anyone who could cure her. Fortunately, a folk doctor appeared and requested to examine the concubine. After diagnosing her, he concocted a “potion” using visually striking red fruit combined with sugar syrup. Once the concubine tried it, her condition gradually improved, and within half a month, she had fully recovered.
Due to its beneficial properties, easy consumption, and delightful flavor, this “potion” quickly became popular among the people and gradually evolved into a staple snack in the region.
This special “potion” is none other than today’s Holo Candy, primarily made from hawthorn berries—a significant ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine known for its ability to improve skin health, enhance digestion, and stimulate appetite. Up to the present day, Western medicine has also recognized the numerous health benefits of this fruit for the digestive and cardiovascular systems, helping to boost the immune system and prevent platelet aggregation.
Why Is It Called Holo Candy?
The name comes from the original shape of the Holo Candy, which resembles a gourd. Traditionally, it consisted of two hawthorn berries skewered together, with the larger one at the bottom and the smaller one at the top. However, due to evolving consumer preferences, a single skewer of Holo Candy now typically features 8 to 10 hawthorn berries instead of just two.
Colorful skewers of Holo Candy that are fresh and appealing with a sweet and sour taste loved by many.
Additionally, besides hawthorn berries, various other fruits such as strawberries, kiwis, dates, and kumquats are also used. The vibrant, fresh colors of the Holo Candy skewers, combined with the perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor from the fruits and a thin, crispy sugar coating, make this unique snack irresistible not only for children but also for many adults.
The Preparation Method: Simple Yet Intricate, Requiring Care and Precision
Today, Holo Candy can be found everywhere in China. It is a must-try snack for any tourist visiting the country. Although it may seem easy to make at first glance, achieving a traditional Beijing-style skewer with a glossy, crispy sugar coating that harmonizes with the slightly sweet and sour flavor of hawthorn berries requires utmost care and precision in preparation.
The process begins with crafting the bamboo skewers, where each skewer is polished with sandpaper to ensure all splinters are removed, but they should not be too smooth to prevent the fruit from slipping off.
Next comes the selection of hawthorn berries; they should be large, ripe, and plump, without any deformities. It is important to note that the type of hawthorn used for Holo Candy is primarily the Chinese hawthorn, scientifically known as Crataegus pinnatifida. This fruit closely resembles the Japanese hawthorn (Crataegus cuneata) but differs from the Vietnamese apple (Mê Linh apple) which tends to have a more tart flavor and is less commonly used for this candy.
Once the ingredients are prepared, the next step is to cook the sugar syrup, which demands the highest level of attention and precision. The syrup should be boiled until it bubbles with small air pockets and turns a shiny golden color, signifying it is ready to coat the fruit.
In the book “The Flavors of Beijing” by Cui Daiyuan published in 2009, it states that Holo Candy is an essential treat in Beijing during the cold winter days. The intricate preparation process, especially the syrup, requires meticulous attention. To determine if the syrup is ready, one can dip a chopstick into the syrup and then immediately into cold water. If it sticks to the teeth, it needs to be cooked longer; if it is crispy, it is just right. At that moment, the fruit must be dipped in; otherwise, if left too long, the syrup will turn bitter.
Holo Candy is an essential treat in Beijing during the cold winter days.
It is particularly important that the syrup layer is extremely thin; if it is too thick, not only will it lose its crispiness, but it will also imbalance the flavor, with the sweetness overwhelming the fruit’s taste. If this mistake is made, the authentic flavor of Holo Candy will be lost.
Conclusion
Holo Candy not only offers delightful culinary experiences and various health benefits but also embodies multiple layers of cultural significance among the Chinese people.
The bright red, round skewers of Holo Candy symbolize luck, goodness, and completeness. The Chinese believe that consuming Holo Candy helps ward off bad luck and brings good fortune to those who enjoy it. Because of these positive meanings, it is common for Chinese people to gift Holo Candy to children, wishing them health and abundant blessings in life.
Every year, January 9th is celebrated as Holo Candy Festival in China. This festival is typically held in Qingdao (China) and lasts for a week, attracting many domestic and international tourists.
