Xuzhou Osmanthus Crisp Sugar

Xuzhou Osmanthus Crisp Sugar

　　Osmanthus Crisp Sugar is a famous traditional pastry specialty of the ancient city of Xuzhou. It is primarily made from sesame seeds, refined flour, honey, maltose, white sugar, and southern osmanthus, and can be eaten directly or dissolved in boiling water for an even better flavor. With its rich aroma and nourishing qualities, it is especially popular among middle-aged and elderly people.

　　Legend has it that during the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo served as the prefect of Xuzhou. In the seventh or eighth lunar month, a breach occurred in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and the floodwaters surged straight toward Xuzhou. Su Dongpo led the citizens day and night in fighting the flood, “lodging on the city wall and not returning home despite passing by.” As the floodwaters continued to rise and were about to overflow the city walls, rumors spread among the people that only if a young and beautiful woman jumped into the Yellow River would the waters recede. Su Dongpo’s 13-year-old daughter, Su Gu, upon hearing this, prayed with incense: “If I can save the people of Xuzhou, I am willing to sacrifice myself to fight the flood.” After her prayer, she leaped from the city wall into the water. People searched along the river until they reached Xiagu in the southeast of Xuzhou, where they found Su Gu’s red shoes floating to the surface. Her story deeply moved the soldiers and citizens of Xuzhou. They fought day and night to defend against the flood and ultimately saved the city.

　　To commemorate Su Gu, the people of Xuzhou built Huanglou Temple and erected a statue of her for worship. In the past, the temple fair was held every year on the 16th day of the first lunar month, and most of the visitors were women. Hence, there is a poetic line describing the grand occasion: “The incense for Su Gu fills Huanglou, and women gather like clouds.” Visitors eagerly purchased the century-old Muslim food store Tai Kang’s “White Sesame Osmanthus Crisp Sugar” to offer as tribute to Su Gu. “Crisp sugar”—is that just a coincidence in name? If you don’t believe it, open a pack of crisp sugar and take a look—the length, width, and height of each piece resemble the bricks of ancient city walls so closely.