Chinese walnut cookie facts for kids
Chinese walnut cookies, also known as hup toh soh (Chinese: 核桃酥), are yummy treats. They are very popular, especially during Chinese New Year celebrations. People often serve them to guests as a special welcome.
What They Mean
Walnuts are thought to be good for your body. Many people believe they help your lungs and blood flow. During the Chinese New Year, eating walnuts is a way to wish for happiness and good luck in the coming year. So, when you eat hup toh soh, you're also sharing a wish for a happy future!
A Bite of History
The story of walnut cookies goes way back to the Tang Dynasty in China. Legend says that farmers from places like Jingdezhen became potters. They worked very long hours. One potter from Leping often coughed. He used to eat walnuts to help his cough. So, he started adding crushed walnuts to his flour and baking it right on the hot kiln surface.
Other potters saw this clever idea. They started making these baked treats too. They were easy to keep and good for long trips when transporting porcelain. They called them "walnut cookies."
As porcelain was carried across the land, these cookies traveled too. People in different places loved them. They even added their own local ingredients. By the time of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during the Tang Dynasty, the cookies were even tastier. They became a favorite snack in the palace! People then called them "Palace walnut cookies."
Later, in the Ming dynasty, the secret recipe for these cookies was kept safe. Some families passed down the special way to make them from one generation to the next. This helped keep the tradition of delicious walnut cookies alive for many years.
What They're Like
Walnut cookies are a special snack enjoyed in both northern and southern China. They are famous for being dry, crispy, crunchy, and sweet. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch!
About Their Nutrition
Chinese walnut cookies contain good things like carbohydrates, protein, and fat. They also have vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, and selenium.
However, like many tasty treats, they can be high in sugar and fat. It's best to enjoy them as a special snack in moderation. Eating too many might not be the healthiest choice for your body over time.
