Renxin Double-Skin Milk

Renxin Double-Skin Milk

　　Renxin Double-Skin Milk

　　Double-skin milk, as the name implies, is milk with two layers of skin. It is said that a rural youth from Shunde named He Shisan, while preparing breakfast one morning, unintentionally created a new variation using water buffalo milk. Soon afterward, an appreciative old friend acquired the recipe and opened a food stall, turning Shunde double-skin milk into a local tradition. This friend turned out to be an ancestor of Mr. Wu, the owner of the now-famous “Wenxin Old Shop” in Guangzhou, and the double-skin milk has been enjoyed ever since the late Qing Dynasty.

　　Not long ago, a friend went to Shunde and said they’d bring me back some “Shunde Daliang” double-skin milk before leaving. Unfortunately, what I ended up with was a bag of powdered double-skin milk—akin to how true coffee aficionados would never settle for instant brew. That expensive box of double-skin milk could only serve as a visual comfort when hunger struck.

　　The making of authentic double-skin milk is extremely meticulous, much like the down-to-earth attitude of the people of Guangdong—no step can be taken lightly. Freshly squeezed water buffalo milk is boiled in the early morning and poured hot into a bowl, where the steam causes the surface to form a layer of milk skin. Once the milk has completely cooled, the skin is carefully lifted off and the milk underneath is reserved. Sugar and protein are then added to this milk, which is gently simmered until another skin forms on top. The simmered milk is then poured back into the original bowl, resulting in a visually delightful double-skin milk. What truly defines good double-skin milk, beyond the sweetness of the milk, is its smooth and rich texture. Its rich aroma has made it a favorite among the people of Guangzhou.

　　Tasting double-skin milk is like experiencing the charm and character of old Guangzhou—gentle and unextravagant, neither overdone nor underwhelming. Amidst its subtlety lies sweetness, and within its sweetness is a hint of understated elegance. It is reminiscent of the “Xiguan ladies” fondly reminisced about by the locals in the early 1920s—behind their fashionable and graceful appearances lies the simple, refreshing essence of old Guangzhou.