Osmanthus Glutinous Rice Balls at Shangcheng Mall

Osmanthus Glutinous Rice Balls at Shangcheng Mall

　　Osmanthus glutinous rice balls are one of the famous snacks in Shangcheng. They are made with carefully selected ingredients and crafted with precision. The primary ingredient is premium glutinous rice, which undergoes several processes including washing, soaking, grinding into slurry, and straining the slurry. The resulting paste is then placed in fine cloth bags and hung to dry until all moisture is removed, leaving behind starch. The filling is mainly made from high-quality granulated sugar and osmanthus, with an appropriate amount of hydrogenated lard and a trace of flour added. The mixture is formed into a filling ball, placed inside a fine sieve, and then positioned over a pot of boiling water. As steam moistens the filling, it is removed, rolled in starch, and placed back on the sieve. After being steamed again, it is rolled in starch once more. This process is repeated several times until the rice balls reach a diameter of about half an inch. They are then boiled in hot water until cooked. The osmanthus glutinous rice balls have a perfect texture that is neither too soft nor too hard, with a tender, smooth mouthfeel, rich fragrance, and sweet taste—offering a truly distinctive flavor.

　　Source: Office of the People's Government of Shangcheng County