Dragon's beard candy facts for kids

Dragon's beard candy (traditional Chinese: 龍鬚糖; simplified Chinese: 龙须糖; pinyin: lóng xū táng) is a special handmade treat from China. It's a traditional Chinese sweet, a bit like cotton candy or floss halva. You can find it in many Chinese communities around the world. Dragon's beard candy started in China. But it quickly became popular in other parts of East Asia, and more recently in places like Canada, Turkey, Singapore, and the United States.

This candy has a low sugar content (19%) and not much saturated fat (2%). For comparison, regular cotton candy has no fat but a lot of sugar (94%). Dragon's beard candy doesn't last long. It melts easily when it gets warm or wet.

History of Dragon's Beard Candy

How the Candy Got Its Name

Legend says that Dragon's Beard Candy was invented a long, long time ago during the Han Dynasty in China. An amazing chef in the Emperor's court created it. He made a special dough from rice flour and stretched it into tiny, thin strands. These strands looked just like a dragon's beard! The candy was also sticky, so it could easily stick to someone's face. Because of this, the Emperor named it "Dragon's Beard Candy."

The mythical dragon was a symbol of the Chinese Emperor. So, naming the candy after the dragon was a way to show respect. This special candy was only for the ruling class (important people) because it was so hard to make.

A Time of Change

Many centuries later, during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Dragon's Beard Candy faced a challenge. The government at that time discouraged anything linked to old traditions, like those from the Han Dynasty. This made the art of making Dragon's Beard Candy even rarer.

However, in recent years, this unique candy has made a comeback! You can now find it at street festivals and tourist spots. Talented candy makers have even shared this art with people around the world.

How Dragon's Beard Candy is Made

Dragon's beard candy being made

Traditionally, Dragon's Beard Candy is made from sugar and maltose syrup. In some places, like the United States, recipes using corn syrup are also common.

Here are the main ingredients often used:

• Fine white sugar (about 75 grams)
• Peanuts (about 75 grams)
• Dried coconut (about 75 grams)
• White sesame seeds (about 38 grams)
• Maltose syrup (about 150 grams)
• A bowl of glutinous rice flour

The Candy Making Process

Making Dragon's Beard Candy is a bit like magic!

1. First, the candy maker boils and melts a thick syrup (made of maltose, sugar, or corn syrup) for about 5 minutes.
2. Then, they let the mixture cool for 10 minutes until it becomes a soft, flexible mass.
3. This gooey mass is shaped into a torus (like a doughnut).
4. Next, the candy maker dips this ring into sugar dough.
5. They then pull, twist, stretch, and fold the dough over and over. Each time they fold it, the number of strands doubles!
6. While stretching, the dough is covered in toasted glutinous flour. This stops it from sticking.
7. The dough is stretched into super thin strands, each about three to four inches long.
8. These strands are then tangled into a circular shape. They are dipped in corn flour to keep them separate.
9. Finally, the ring is cut into small pieces. These pieces are wrapped around crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, chocolate, or coconut. The filling can change depending on the region or the chef.

It's best to eat Dragon's Beard Candy right after it's made. It stays fresh for only a few minutes in warm weather.

Dragon's Beard Candy vs. Western Cotton Candy

Both Dragon's Beard Candy and regular cotton candy are made of sugar. They are both sticky and melt when exposed to moisture. If left out, both will clump together.

However, there are some key differences:

• Cotton candy has a larger surface area. This means a small amount of sugar can make a big fluffy treat.
• A serving of cotton candy (about 37 grams) has around 110 calories. It's almost 100% sugar.
• Dragon's Beard Candy has less sugar (about 7.2 grams) but slightly more calories (around 141.2). It also has more fat (6.1 grams) because it includes ingredients like peanuts and sesame seeds. Cotton candy usually has no fat.

Here's a quick look at their nutrition:

Where to Find Dragon's Beard Candy

Many street vendors who sell Dragon's Beard Candy will make it right in front of you. Watching them stretch and fold the candy is a fascinating show! This often attracts customers who are amazed by the process. You can also buy Dragon's Beard Candy from online stores.

See also

In Spanish: Barba de dragón para niños