Mahua (snack) facts for kids
Mahua with tea
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| Type | Doughnut |
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| Place of origin | China, Panama |
| Main ingredients | Dough, peanut oil |
Mahua (pronounced "mah-hwa") is a yummy Chinese snack also known as a Fried Dough Twist. It's made from dough that's twisted into fun shapes and then fried in peanut oil. Mahua looks golden and shiny. You can find it in many flavors, from sweet to spicy. It usually has a crunchy and dense texture. People have been enjoying Mahua for thousands of years! It's a very special food in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin.
Contents
The Story of Mahua
Mahua has a long and interesting history. People believe it started about two thousand years ago.
A Festival Snack
One story says Mahua was invented for a special three-day festival. During this festival, people were not allowed to use fire. This meant they couldn't cook any fresh food. So, they needed a snack that would stay good for a long time. The first Mahua was fried dough mixed with honey. Because it stayed fresh, it was a perfect snack for the festival!
The Scorpion Tale
Another tale about Mahua's origin is a bit more exciting. Long ago, wild scorpions were causing trouble for people. To get back at the scorpions, people started twisting wheat dough into the shape of a scorpion's tail. Then, they would fry and eat these dough twists. This was a way to show they weren't afraid of the scorpions!
Famous Mahua Brands
Mahua is popular all over China, and some places are especially famous for their unique versions.
Tianjin's Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua
The most famous Mahua comes from Tianjin. It's called "Guifaxiang 18th Street Fried Dough Twists." This name comes from the shop's original location on the 18th Street of the old town. In Tianjin, Mahua is usually sweet or salty. Common ingredients include flour, sesame, walnuts, peanuts, and sweet-smelling osmanthus flowers.
The Guifaxiang Mahua store started in 1927. It was founded by a baker named Laoba Liu. The name "Guifaxiang" means "sweet-scented osmanthus' seeds' aroma, be diligent and be lucky." Laoba Liu was a very skilled baker. He found a way to put different fillings inside the Mahua. This made the snack look and taste even better! Soon, "Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua" became one of Tianjin's most famous snacks. It even became well-known across the whole country.
Today, the Guifaxiang company has a Mahua Museum. Visitors can learn about the history of Mahua and see how it's made in the factory.
Chongqing's Chen-Mahua
Another famous type of Mahua is Chen-Mahua from Chongqing. It has been popular there since the Qing Dynasty. Chen-Mahua started in a place called Ciqikou.
Chen-Mahua comes in many flavors, usually ten different kinds! These include:
- Original taste
- Black sesame
- Pepper salt
- Black rice
- Corn
- Rock sugar glutinous rice
- Spicy
- Seaweed
- Chocolate
- Honey
The spicy Mahua is a special favorite in Chongqing.
Mahua Around the World
Mahua isn't just popular in China. It has traveled to other countries too!
Mahua in Panama
This snack is super popular in Panama. There, it's known as mafá and is even considered a national dish! Chinese immigrants brought Mahua to Panama in the 1800s.
There's also a savory (not sweet) version of mafá in Panama. It's green and gets its color and flavor from powdered algae.
See also
In Spanish: Mahua para niños
