Yun dou juan facts for kids

Yun dou juan (pronounced "yoon-doh-joo-ahn") is a special and tasty treat from Beijing, China. It's often called "kidney bean rolls" because that's exactly what it is! This traditional dish is made from white kidney beans and a sweet bean paste, rolled up into a delicious snack. It's a popular part of Beijing cuisine and has been enjoyed for a long time.

How is Yun Dou Juan Made?

Making Yun dou juan is a careful process that takes several steps. It starts with preparing the main ingredient: white kidney beans.

Preparing the Beans

First, the white kidney beans are crushed. After crushing, they are soaked in water overnight. This soaking helps to soften the beans and makes it easier to remove their skins. In the morning, the skins float to the top of the water, so they can be easily taken off and thrown away.

Next, the beans are boiled in hot water for at least an hour. This makes them very soft. After boiling, they are steamed for at least twenty more minutes. Steaming helps to make the beans even softer and ready for the next step.

Forming the Rolls

Once the beans are super soft, they are mashed into a smooth paste. This paste is then shaped into a long, thick log, about 3.5 centimeters (about 1.4 inches) wide.

The bean paste log is then placed on a wet cloth. Using a knife, it's carefully flattened and shaped into a rectangle. A layer of sweet bean paste is spread evenly over the rectangular bean paste. Finally, the whole thing is carefully rolled up. When it's time to eat, the long roll is cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces.