Tongling Shun’an Crisp Sugar

Tongling Shun’an Crisp Sugar

　　Tongling Shun’an Crisp Sugar is a specialty of Shun’an Town, Tongling County, Tongling City, Anhui Province. The production of Shun’an Crisp Sugar began in the late Tang Dynasty. It is made from high-quality flour, fine white sugar, pure black sesame seeds, along with appropriate amounts of osmanthus, green plums, and kumquat cakes, all finely processed. It is characterized by its soft, fluffy texture and sweet, moist taste, holding its shape without breaking apart. It is one of the traditional flavored foods of the Tongling area.

　　Tongling Crisp Sugar is also known as “Shun’an Crisp Sugar.” It is an indispensable delicacy when hosting guests in Tongling. Tongling Crisp Sugar carries sweet memories that never fade. When people mention Shun’an Crisp Sugar, they often say, “It holds together in solid pieces yet melts in your mouth — this is the unique charm of Shun’an Crisp Sugar, something other regions just can’t replicate.” Well-known local specialties often have a long history. According to historical records such as the *Tongling County Annals*, as early as the Tang Dynasty, when the “Linqin Post” was established in Shun’an, the fame of Tongling’s “Shun’an Crisp Sugar” had already spread far and wide, becoming a popular product in Tongling County and surrounding areas. Sesame seeds, flour, and white sugar — these three are the main ingredients of the crisp sugar. Four pieces are packed into a single package, wrapped in simple, unadorned paper packaging, yet evoking unforgettable sweet memories. Having a history of over a thousand years, Tongling Shun’an Crisp Sugar has maintained its traditional production techniques through generations despite the passage of time. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, all production and sales of Shun’an Crisp Sugar were managed by the Shun’an Supply and Marketing Cooperative, which had its own workshop where the candy was mainly handmade. Skilled artisans meticulously guided the process, ensuring that Shun’an Crisp Sugar retained its original flavor and premium quality. In 1984, Shun’an Crisp Sugar was awarded the title of First-Class Product by the Anhui Provincial Supply and Marketing Cooperative System. From the 1970s to the late 1980s, the annual production of Shun’an Crisp Sugar remained stable at over 120 tons, making it a leading First-Class Crisp Sugar production base in Anhui Province.