Jin Tai Liaohua

Jin Tai Liaohua

　　Liaohua is a renowned specialty pastry from Jin Tai Shop (a combination of storefront and workshop) in Anyang City, Henan Province.

　　　　Since its creation during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, "Liaohua" has gained widespread fame and been in high demand. Later, it was mass-produced under the local brand "Jin Tai," becoming a popular gift for friends and family. In the 26th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign during the Qing Dynasty, when the emperor passed through Zhangde Prefecture (now Anyang City, Henan Province), Liaohua was presented to him. Delighted by its taste, the emperor designated it as an imperial tribute. Since then, "Jin Tai Liaohua" has become famous both within and beyond the province.

　　Ingredient formula (for 50 kilograms of finished product): dough base 20 kilograms, white sugar 20 kilograms, maltose syrup 10 kilograms, cooking oil 7.5 kilograms, osmanthus flowers 250 grams, candied fruit strips 500 grams

　　Production method:

　　1. Soak glutinous rice in clean water for 7–10 days, then drain it in a sieve using clean water and dry it. Grind it into rice flour.

　　2. Steam the dough after scalding it with boiling water, then let it cool (stirring to release heat), add a small amount of cooking oil, knead evenly to form the dough; cut it into strips 7 cm long, 1 cm wide and thick. Once dried, they become the Liaohua dough base.

　　3. Place an appropriate amount of dough base into warm oil. As the oil temperature rises, the dough base puffs up and takes shape, then it is removed and deep-fried in hot oil until cooked.

　　4. Select cooked dough bases of uniform size, crush the less perfect ones to make the decorative flowers; coat the cooked dough with syrup, attach the flowers, and sprinkle with candied fruit strips to complete the Liaohua.

　　Product features: Individual pieces are puffed up, light as a feather, golden in color, with a snow-white, net-like cross-section. The surface is decorated with crushed flower pieces, offering a novel and unique appearance. They are crispy, sweet, and melt in the mouth.