A traditional Chinese candy made by hand pulling sugar into thousands of delicate, thin threads, this is dragon's beard candy
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What is Dragon's Beard Candy?
Dragon's beard candy is a traditional Chinese confectionery known for its fine, thread-like strands that resemble a dragon's beard. Made from a sugar and maltose mixture, the candy is meticulously stretched and folded to create thousands of delicate threads, which are then often wrapped around a filling of crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and coconut. Originating from China over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty, dragon's beard candy was initially a treat for royalty and nobility.
Dragon's beard candy is popular on social media due to its mesmerizing and intricate preparation process. While it may seem intimidating to make, after a little bit of practice you too can adopt the skills of an ancient candy maker and make your very own dragon's beard candy!
Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: Sugar is the primary ingredient that forms the candy's structure. When heated, it melts and undergoes caramelization, which is essential for creating the candy's texture and sweetness.
- Corn Syrup or Glucose: Corn syrup or glucose helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing, ensuring a smooth and pliable candy mixture. It contributes to the candy's elasticity, allowing it to be stretched into fine threads without breaking.
- Water: Water dissolves the sugar and helps to control the temperature as the mixture heats. It also aids in achieving the correct consistency for the candy once it cools.
- Food Coloring: Food coloring is optional and is used purely for aesthetic purposes, allowing you to add a visual appeal to the candy by coloring it according to your preference.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used for dusting the work surface and hands to prevent the candy from sticking during the stretching process. It also helps to keep the individual threads separated once they are formed.
How to make Dragon's Beard Candy
- Dust a clean, flat surface generously with cornstarch to prevent sticking.
- In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, ¼ cup corn syrup (or glucose), and 1 cup water.
- Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom.
- Continue to cook the sugar mixture without stirring until it reaches 130°C (270°F) on the candy thermometer.
- If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture once it reaches the desired temperature and swirl gently to mix.
- Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into a donut-shaped silicone mould, or some small round plastic containers
- Allow it to cool slightly until the mixture becomes firm but still pliable, which should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Form the cooled mixture into a ring shape, ensuring it is evenly thick all around.
- Dust your hands with cornstarch to prevent sticking.
- Begin stretching the candy ring by pulling it outward into a larger loop, then folding it back into a smaller ring.
- Twist and stretch the ring repeatedly, folding it in half each time, to incorporate air into the candy and achieve a fine, silky texture.
- Continue stretching and folding the candy until you achieve the desired thinness and thread-like texture.
Equipment
Saucepan
A medium saucepan is necessary for heating and combining the sugar, corn syrup (or glucose), and water. It provides enough space for the ingredients to boil and reach the necessary temperature without boiling over.
A Candy Thermometer
A candy thermometer is crucial for accurately measuring the temperature of the sugar mixture. Reaching the precise temperature (130°C or 270°F) is essential to achieve the right consistency for the candy, ensuring it can be stretched into thin threads without becoming too hard or too soft.
A Spatula (or spoon)
A spatula is used to stir the sugar mixture initially to ensure the sugar dissolves completely and to prevent burning. Once the mixture starts boiling, stirring is typically stopped to avoid crystallization.
A Donut-Shaped Mould, or Small Plastic Containers
A donut-shaped mould or small plastic containers help shape the cooled sugar mixture into a thick ring. This ring is then stretched and folded to create the thin threads characteristic of dragon's beard candy. The mould or containers ensure the mixture starts in the correct shape for this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need corn syrup or glucose in the recipe?
Corn syrup or glucose helps prevent the sugar from crystallizing, ensuring a smooth and pliable candy mixture. It also adds elasticity, making it easier to stretch the candy into thin threads.
What temperature should the sugar mixture reach?
The sugar mixture should reach 130°C (270°F), known as the hard ball stage. This temperature ensures the candy has the right consistency for stretching.
Can I make dragon's beard candy without a candy thermometer?
While it's possible, a candy thermometer ensures accuracy. Without it, achieving the precise temperature needed for the right texture can be challenging.
Why do I need to use cornstarch?
Cornstarch prevents the candy from sticking to surfaces and hands during the stretching process. It also helps keep the individual threads separated once formed.
Is food coloring necessary?
No, food coloring is optional. It is used purely for aesthetic purposes to add visual appeal to the candy.
How long does it take for the sugar mixture to cool before stretching?
It typically takes about 10-15 minutes for the mixture to cool slightly and become firm but still pliable, ready for shaping and stretching.
What can I use if I don't have a donut-shaped mould?
You can use small plastic containers to shape the cooled sugar mixture into a thick puck, then use an object to poke a hole in the middle to form a ring. The goal is to start with an evenly thick ring for stretching.
Why is the candy breaking when I stretch it?
The candy might be too cold and hard. You can gently warm it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it pliable again. Additionally, ensure you're incorporating enough air by folding and twisting the ring repeatedly.
How do I store dragon's beard candy?
Store the finished candy in an airtight container to keep it fresh and prevent it from becoming sticky or absorbing moisture from the air.
How can I practice making dragon's beard candy?
Making dragon's beard candy can be challenging and requires practice. Be patient and keep trying, as it may take a few attempts to master the stretching technique and achieve the desired thinness.
Can I add fillings to dragon's beard candy?
Yes, traditional fillings include crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and coconut. You can experiment with other fillings to suit your taste.
Let's Get Cooking
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Print📖 Recipe
Dragons Beard Candy
A traditional Chinese candy made by hand pulling sugar into thousands of delicate, thin threads, this is dragons beard candy
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 balls of candy 1x
- Category: Candy
- Method: Difficult
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ cup corn syrup or glucose
- 1 cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Cornstarch (for dusting)
Instructions
- Dust a clean, flat surface generously with cornstarch to prevent sticking.
- In a large saucepan, combine 2 cups granulated sugar, ¼ cup corn syrup (or glucose), and 1 cup water.
- Heat over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom.
- Continue to cook the sugar mixture without stirring until it reaches 130°C (270°F) on the candy thermometer.
- If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the mixture once it reaches the desired temperature and swirl gently to mix.
- Carefully pour the hot sugar mixture into a donut-shaped silicone mould, or some small round plastic containers
- Allow it to cool slightly until the mixture becomes firm but still pliable, which should take about 10-15 minutes.
- Form the cooled mixture into a ring shape, ensuring it is evenly thick all around.
- Dust your hands with cornstarch to prevent sticking.
- Begin stretching the candy ring by pulling it outward into a larger loop, then folding it back into a smaller ring.
- Twist and stretch the ring repeatedly, folding it in half each time, to incorporate air into the candy and achieve a fine, silky texture.
- Continue stretching and folding the candy until you achieve the desired thinness and thread-like texture.
- Use kitchen scissors to cut the thin threads into manageable lengths.
- Dust the finished threads with more cornstarch to prevent sticking.
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