Double skin milk facts for kids
A bowl of double skin milk from the Bai Hua Dessert Store in Guangzhou, China.
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| Alternative names | Shuang Pi Nai, 双皮奶 （in Chinese) |
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| Type | Dessert |
| Course | Dessert, Cantonese dessert |
| Place of origin | China |
| Region or state | Shunde, Guangdong |
| Associated national cuisine | Chinese |
| Serving temperature | Cold or warm |
| Main ingredients | milk (Buffalo milk), egg white,sugar |
| Similar dishes | Pudding |
Double skin milk (Chinese: 雙皮奶; Jyutping: soeng1 pei4 naai5) is a yummy Cantonese dessert. It's made from milk, egg whites, and sugar. This sweet treat first came from a place called Shunde in Guangdong, China.
It's a super smooth milk custard that's a bit like a pudding. What makes it special are its "two skins"! The first skin forms when the boiled milk cools down. The second skin appears after the custard is cooked and then cools.
Traditionally, people use milk from water buffaloes. This milk has more fat than cow's milk. This extra fat helps make the dessert extra smooth and creamy. Double skin milk is very popular in cities like Shunde, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Macau, and Hong Kong.
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The Story Behind Double Skin Milk
Double skin milk started in Daliang, Shunde, in Guangdong. The story says it was created by a lady named Grandma Dong during the Qing Dynasty. Back then, there were no refrigerators, and Guangdong was always hot. Grandma Dong, who was a cowherd, found it hard to store milk.
One day, she boiled some milk. After it cooled, she noticed a skin had formed on top. To her surprise, this skin tasted delicious! So, she started selling milk with this tasty skin. It became very popular in her neighborhood.
But there was a problem: the milk with skin could easily spill when carried. To fix this, Grandma Dong added egg white to the milk. This made the milk thicken after boiling. After a few tries, she perfected the recipe. This is how the double skin milk we know today was created! Grandma Dong is remembered as the person who invented it.
Today, the special skills needed to make double skin milk are considered part of Shunde's intangible cultural heritage. This means it's a special tradition or skill that's important to keep alive and pass down.
Even with many new foods, double skin milk has stayed popular for a long time. People keep finding new ways to enjoy it while keeping its traditional taste.
What's in It and Why It's Good for You
Double skin milk is usually made with about three cups of whole milk, two egg whites, and three spoons of sugar. It's not just tasty; it also has some good nutrients!
- Protein: This dessert is rich in protein. Protein helps your body grow and stay strong. It can also help your body fight off sickness and keep your blood pressure healthy.
- Calcium: Double skin milk has lots of calcium. Calcium is super important for strong bones and teeth. It also helps your muscles and nerves work correctly.
- Lactose: It contains lactose, which is a type of sugar found in milk. Lactose helps your body absorb calcium easily.
How to Make Double Skin Milk
Want to try making this delicious dessert? Here's a simple recipe:
- Heat milk in a microwave for 1 minute. Let it cool for 1 minute, then heat it again for 1 minute.
- Let the milk cool for about 5 minutes. You should see a thin skin form on top.
- Gently lift the milk skin with a knife. Slowly pour the milk underneath into another bowl. Make sure to leave a little bit of milk (about a quarter) in the first bowl. This stops the skin from sticking.
- Add sugar to the milk you poured out. Mix it well until the sugar is completely gone.
- Add about a quarter cup of egg whites (or the whites from 2 eggs) to the milk mixture. Mix everything together really well.
- Carefully pour the milk mixture back into the first bowl. Pour it along the side of the bowl so the milk skin floats up to the top.
- Steam the milk for about 20 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. This helps keep the surface of your custard smooth.
- Check if the milk custard is firm on top. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Add your favorite topping and enjoy your homemade double skin milk!
Double Skin Milk in Documentaries
Double skin milk was featured in a documentary called "A Bite of Shunde." This show was made by the same team who filmed "A Bite of China" in 2016. It shows many famous and tasty dishes from Shunde. In one episode, you can see how double skin milk is made. The show even called it the "Proud of Shunde."
Awards and Recognition
Double skin milk has won many awards and is recognized as a special food:
- Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Authentic Double Skin Milk (2018)
- Regional Intangible Cultural Heritage Authentic Double Skin Milk (2013)
- Guangdong Time-Honored Brand (2018)
- Guangdong Lingnan Special Cuisine (2010)
- Foshan Dishes
- The most distinctive local food award
- Foshan Top Ten Snacks
Famous Places to Find Double Skin Milk
You can find delicious double skin milk in many places, especially in these cities:
Hong Kong
- Australian Dairy Company
- Yee Shun Milk Company
- Chung So Dessert
- Honeymoon Dessert
- Lucky Dessert
Macau
- Yee Shun Milk Company
Guangzhou
- Nanxin Milk Desserts Experts
Shunde, Foshan City
- Renxin Laopu
- Minxin-Since 1930
- Huangji Milk Milk
- Old Neighborhood Ginger Milk Curd
- Aunt Zhou Milk
- Nanxin Double Skin Milk
- Xiguan Childe in Second Double Skin Milk
- Daliang Double Skin Milk
New Ways to Enjoy Double Skin Milk
Double skin milk is always changing and finding new ways to be enjoyed!
Double Skin Milk and Milk Tea
In 2022, a new drink called Double Skin Milk Milk Tea was launched. This drink combines the traditional double skin milk with popular milk tea. It's a way to attract younger people who love milk tea. The creators want to keep the tradition alive while making it exciting for new generations.
Double Skin Milk and KFC
In 2021, even KFC joined in! They teamed up with a famous Chinese brand, Taojuju, to create a new dessert: K Double Skin Milk. This shows how popular and adaptable this dessert is.
Learning to Make Double Skin Milk
Many activities help teach people how to make double skin milk. For example, primary school students in Guangzhou learned the skills from an expert. They got to cook the dessert themselves! There are also short videos called "Little Cantonese Chef" that show students how to make it. This helps pass on the tradition.
Double Skin Milk Museum
There's even a Double Skin Milk Museum in Shunde! It's a place where visitors can learn about how the dessert is made. You can even try making it yourself while enjoying a taste.
Double Skin Milk Powder
Because it's so popular, you can now find double skin milk in packaged forms. You might even see double skin milk powder in supermarkets! This makes it easier for people to make it at home.
Double Skin Milk Toppings
People love to get creative with double skin milk by adding different toppings. You can add sweet red beans, tapioca pearls, honey, or fresh fruits like mangoes. These toppings add even more flavor and fun to this classic dessert!
