Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee

Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee

　　　　Tianjin’s Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee is a premium and well-known traditional folk confectionery with a long history and widespread fame. During the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu era, Zhang’s ancestors produced sticky rice toffee in the Liangjiazui area (now part of Hongqiao District). By the early 20th century, the business was taken over by the second-generation heir, Mr. Zhang Jun, who integrated the characteristics of Tianjin’s Liuji and Yèji sticky rice toffees and advanced the production technique significantly. It became commonly known as “Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee.” During the Japanese invasion of China and the subsequent occupation of Tianjin, the development of “Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee” suffered a major setback. Amid the chaos of war, Mr. Zhang, struggling to make a living, produced the toffee under constant fear, but was eventually discovered by the Japanese. They found that this was a candy with unique craftsmanship, a sweet taste, and traditional characteristics. Using both soft and hard tactics, they tried to coerce Mr. Zhang into “cooperating” with them. The old man, with integrity, chose to shut down his toffee workshop and shops rather than surrender to their pressure. From then on, the name “Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee” faded from public view. It wasn’t until the 1980s, during the reform and opening-up period, that the craft saw a revival. Under the careful management of the third-generation heir, Mr. Zhang Xueli, the Zhang’s Sticky Rice Toffee brand was reinstated and registered under the trademark “Old and Young’s Joy.” As the name suggests, it is a confectionery loved by both the elderly and children. The sticky rice toffee we produce is different from the hard or soft candies available on the market. It is made from carefully selected sesame seeds, white sugar, and refined starch. With low sugar content and a mild sweetness, it doesn’t irritate the throat, is chewy yet not sticky, and has a unique texture that is both soft and crisp. The production process follows a traditional method using open-fire simmering and is entirely handmade. By the 21st century, in addition to sticky rice toffee, the workshop also introduced a series of products such as crisp toffee, chocolate, and twisted dough sticks (麻花). There are as many as eighteen flavors of sticky rice toffee alone. These products are sold across major markets nationwide and exported to countries such as Japan, Germany, and Russia.