Traditional candies in Hong Kong facts for kids
In Hong Kong, putting traditional candies into a Chinese candy box is a special custom, especially during Chinese New Year. This practice has a secret meaning! People believe that sweet candies mean a happy and delightful start to the new year.
Traditional candies became very popular in Hong Kong because of the city's history. From the 1950s to the 1980s, small factories were very common. Many different kinds of traditional candies were made. They came in many flavors and fun packages to attract children.
Today, people care more about healthy eating. Candies are sometimes seen as just high-energy food, which some consider unhealthy. Also, many foreign sweets are now imported, making Hong Kong's traditional candies less common. Even so, these candies are still a special part of Hong Kong culture.
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Fun Hong Kong Candies
Tricky Candies to Wear
"Glasses candy" (眼鏡糖) and "diamond ring candy" (戒指糖) are super fun because of how they look! The glasses candy comes in a package that looks like real glasses. Kids can even wear them by linking the ends with a rubber band. The diamond ring candy (like the Western Ring Pop) looks like a fancy gem. The candy sits on a plastic ring, and people usually wear it on their finger while eating.
There's a funny and sweet old story too. It says that boys used to give this candy to girls they liked to show their feelings!
These candies were popular because they were very cheap. Long ago, Hong Kong was not as rich as it is now. Even a pair of glasses was expensive, let alone a real diamond ring! So, these tricky candies were like precious treasures for many Hong Kong people.
The "Singing" Candy
‘Ding Ding Candy’ (叮叮糖) is also called ‘Deuk Deuk Tong’ (啄啄糖) in Cantonese. It's another famous traditional candy from Hong Kong. This hard candy is mostly made from malt and sugar. It also has corn syrup and water, and sometimes sesame. This candy has been around for at least 60 years in Hong Kong and is still loved today.
It got its name ‘Ding Ding Candy’ from how it's made. The word 'Ding' sounds like the noise a seller makes. They use a hammer and a cutter to break a big block of candy into smaller pieces. This sound, "Ding Ding Ding Ding," is heard as they chisel the candy.
Sweet Coconut Candies
Coconut candy (椰子糖) is a must-have during Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. It's often placed on a special platter for guests. This candy is thought to bring good luck all year! The word for coconut (椰子) sounds like "grandfather" (爺) and "son" (子). This means peace and happiness for many generations. Also, 'candy' (糖) means a warm and sweet family life.
Yan Chim Kee Candies
Yan Chim Kee (甄沾記) is a very old and famous candy maker in Hong Kong. It started in 1915 in Guangzhou. Their coconut candy is a true classic. The packages of Yan Chim Kee Coconut Candy were bright red, green, and yellow. They also had a special logo. You could find these candies in many flavors and textures.
The company was very strict about quality. They said their products had no preservatives or artificial colors. They only used fresh coconut milk, liquid glucose, and sugar. Back in the 1900s, a candy cost only 5 cents. This was quite a lot of money back then! Yan Chim Kee was a big part of the local food scene from the 1950s to the 1970s. Older Hong Kong people have happy memories of their coconut candies, juices, and ice cream.
The company faced some tough times in the 1990s. But it was brought back to life in 2013! Now, you can find its products in fancy stores and at big food fairs.
Why These Candies Matter
Traditional candies are more than just a sweet treat. They are important symbols for special events, especially Chinese New Year. This festival is very important for Chinese people, and traditional candies play a big role.
During Chinese New Year, families visit each other. When guests arrive, they are often offered candy in a red box. This box is called a "Tray of Togetherness" or quanhe (全盒). Different traditional candies, like "sugar painting" and "dragons beard candy," have special meanings. They can mean wishing for a big family or stronger family bonds. They can also mean money and a sweet life. That's why many chocolates given during the festival are wrapped like gold coins. Getting candy during Chinese New Year is seen as a blessing and a sign of good luck for the whole year.
Hong Kong traditional candies are part of the city's collective memories. They are shared experiences for many Hong Kong people. New types of candy cannot replace these special memories. People remember not only the taste of these candies but also the happy times they shared with friends and family. These memories are common among older generations in Hong Kong. Seeing these candies again often brings back those happy feelings.
