July 16, 2026 · 星期四
Candied Hawthorns
糖葫芦· sugar
Today’s episode with Jason & AmyCandied Hawthorns are a classic winter treat in China, highlighting the cultural appreciation for sweet and sour flavors.
Candied Hawthorns
糖葫芦táng hú lú
Candied Hawthorns, known as 糖葫芦 (tánghúlu) in Chinese, are a beloved street snack in China, particularly popular during the colder months. This treat consists of hawthorn berries, or sometimes other fruits such as strawberries, skewered onto a bamboo stick and coated with a layer of hardened sugar syrup. The resulting glossy red candy is not only visually appealing but also offers a delightful contrast between the tartness of the fruit and the sweetness of the sugar coating.[1]
The tradition of eating 糖葫芦 dates back several centuries and is deeply embedded in Chinese culture. Historically, it is said that this sweet delight was first made during the Song Dynasty to cure the illness of a royal concubine, who found the combination of sour and sweet to be particularly soothing[2]. Over time, this simple recipe became a favorite among the public, especially during the winter when the crisp, cold air adds to the appeal of biting into the crunchy sugar shell.
The process of making 糖葫芦 involves careful attention to detail. First, the hawthorn berries are washed and skewered. Then, they are dipped into a boiling sugar syrup, which hardens almost instantly in the cool air to form a shiny coat. This snack not only reflects a rich culinary tradition but also showcases the Chinese love for balancing flavors and textures. As you enjoy this treat today, remember the word 糖 (táng), meaning sugar, which is a crucial component in creating the iconic taste and appearance of 糖葫芦.
Candied Hawthorns are a classic winter treat in China, highlighting the cultural appreciation for sweet and sour flavors.
今天我们吃糖葫芦。
Jīntiān wǒmen chī tánghúlu.
Today we eat candied hawthorns.
- [1] Zhang Zeduan, 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival' (《清明上河图》)
- [2] Historical accounts of the Song Dynasty
Jason & Amy on 糖
Podcast: Daily Chinese: 糖 — Candied Hawthorns
Jason & Amy on 糖 and Candied Hawthorns
New here?
我喜欢糖。
Wǒ xǐhuān táng.
I like sugar.
A simple sentence expressing a preference.
糖很甜。
Táng hěn tián.
Sugar is sweet.
Describes a basic characteristic of sugar.
他用糖做了蛋糕。
Tā yòng táng zuò le dàngāo.
He made a cake with sugar.
Shows the use of sugar in making a cake.
这个故事加了不少糖。
Zhège gùshì jiā le bù shǎo táng.
This story added quite a bit of sugar.
Metaphorically describes adding sweetness to a story.
Using '用' with nouns
用 + noun + verb
The structure '用 + noun + verb' means 'use something to do something'.
Use '用' to describe using an object to perform an action.
他用笔写字。
Tā yòng bǐ xiězì.
He writes with a pen.
妈妈用锅做饭。
Māma yòng guō zuòfàn.
Mom cooks with a pot.
他们用电脑工作。
Tāmen yòng diànnǎo gōngzuò.
They work with computers.
What does 糖 mean?
How is 糖 pronounced?
How do you write "sugar" in Chinese?
Listen. What does the sentence mean?
今天我们吃___。(Today we eat ___.)
糖很甜。 — What does this sentence mean?
Which fruit is commonly used in 糖葫芦?
Arrange into a correct sentence
Frequently asked questions about the word 糖
You can say '我喜欢吃糖' (Wǒ xǐhuān chī táng), meaning 'I like to eat candy.'
Yes, 糖 can refer to various types of sugar or candies, such as '白糖' (bái táng) for white sugar or '果糖' (guǒ táng) for fructose.
The common measure word for 糖 is '颗' (kē) or '块' (kuài), depending on the context.
Today's Mandarin word: 糖 (táng) — sugar.
Learn it on Mandarin Temple's Dragon Daily 🐉