Xi gua lao facts for kids
Watermelon agar jelly
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| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | China |
| Region or state | Beijing |
| Main ingredients | Watermelon, cherries, agar, sugar, vanilla powder |
Xi gua lao (Chinese: 西瓜酪; pinyin: xīguālào; literally "watermelon jelly") is a special dessert from Beijing, China. It is a cool, thick watermelon soup that people enjoy during the hot summer months. This sweet treat is a traditional part of Beijing cuisine.
Contents
What is Xi Gua Lao?
Xi gua lao is a type of chilled jelly or pudding. It is made mostly from fresh watermelon. The dessert has a smooth, refreshing texture. It is perfect for cooling down on a warm day. People in Beijing have been making and eating this dessert for a long time.
How is Xi Gua Lao Made?
Making Xi gua lao is quite simple. It uses a few common ingredients.
Main Ingredients
The main things you need to make this dessert are:
- Fresh watermelon
- Sweet cherries
- Agar (a natural gelling agent)
- Sugar
- Vanilla powder (for flavor)
Step-by-Step Preparation
First, water is mixed with agar, vanilla powder, and sugar. This mixture is then heated and boiled. Boiling turns it into a clear, sweet syrup.
Next, the fresh watermelon is prepared. The fruit is crushed to get out all its juicy goodness. This creates a natural watermelon juice.
Finally, the watermelon juice is mixed with the warm syrup. This combined mixture is then chilled. As it cools, the agar helps it become thick and jelly-like. Once it is firm and cold, it is ready to be served. It is often served with fresh cherries on top.
Why is it Popular?
Xi gua lao is very popular in Beijing, especially in summer. Watermelon is a refreshing fruit. When made into this chilled dessert, it helps people beat the heat. It is a light and sweet way to enjoy the flavors of summer.
See also
In Spanish: Xi gua lao para niños
