Dragon's beard candy (or Chinese cotton candy) is a form of spun sugar traditional in China. It is said to have been invented for the emperor about 2,000 years ago . It consists of many very fine strands of sugar, giving it the appearance and consistency of a fine beard, like that of a dragon – hence its name.

Preparation

The candy is made by boiling partially solidified sugar or a plain saturated and maltose solution until it just reaches the stage and then leaving it to chill. The resulting solid, which is elastic, is formed into a torus and then repeatedly pulling and folded over, doubling the number of strands after each repetition. While the candy is being folded it is kept covered in toasted glutinous flour, in order to keep the strands from sticking together.

The finished beard is cut up into small pieces and usually then wrapped around crushed peanuts. The candy is to be eaten immediately after manufacture, although it will keep for up to six minutes in heat.

Traditionally the candy is made from sugar and maltose syrup, although recipes based on corn syrup are now used in the United States.

It is common for street vendors of dragon's beard candy to carry out the folding process at their stall, which attracts customers fascinated by the process as much as by a desire to purchase the candy.

See also

• Cotton candy
• Deuk Deuk Tong
• White Rabbit Creamy Candy
• Pişmaniye
• Pashmak

External links

• Bamboo Garden Icy-Crispy Dragon Beard Candy
• Noodles And Rice: Dragon Beard Candy