Qinyou Dongtang

Qinyou Dongtang

　　Qinyou Dongtang is a traditional specialty product from Gaoyou, Yangzhou, with a history of over 300 years. Originally called crisp candy, it came to be known as Dongtang for two reasons. One says it was named after the Dong surname master who made it, while another claims it was created by Dong Xiaowan, a renowned beauty from the Qinhuai area in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, hence the name. Made from glutinous rice flour, sesame, white sugar, malt, and other ingredients, it is meticulously handcrafted, featuring a deep wheat-yellow color, even thickness, a soft and crumbly texture, and a deliciously sweet taste—suitable for all ages and an excellent gift for family and friends. Also called crisp candy or Dong crisp candy, each piece is about 3 cm long, and approximately 1.5 cm wide and thick. Once the wrapper is removed, the beige-colored Dongtang is revealed. Each piece consists of 48 layers of soft, evenly thin flakes with clear layers and an authentic flavor, making it a top choice for gifting during holidays such as New Year’s Day and Spring Festival. This product has certain seasonal characteristics and is not suitable for storage or transport in high-temperature regions or seasons. (Gaoyou)

　　Made from glutinous rice flour, sesame, white sugar, malt, and other ingredients, it is meticulously handcrafted, featuring a deep wheat-yellow color, even thickness, a soft and crumbly texture, and a deliciously sweet taste—suitable for all ages and an excellent gift for family and friends.

　　The traditional handmade production technique of Qinyou Dongtang refers to the refined craftsmanship of “Dong crisp candy,” a historically significant, uniquely formulated, and delicately flavored local specialty from the Gaoyou region.

　　It originated more than 550 years ago when Dong Lin (a native of Gaoyou and a successful candidate in the imperial examinations during the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty), out of filial piety to support his widowed mother and comfort his beloved parent, developed it after retiring to his hometown. The technique has been passed down to this day. The Qianlong edition of the Gaoyou Prefecture Records notes under the entry “Loan Category · Dongtang”: “Named after being made (prepared) by the Dong family.” Since Dong Lin was from Gaoyou—which was historically called Qinyou—this tea accompaniment came to be known to the world as “Qinyou Dongtang.” Gaoyou is both the birthplace and the authentic producing area of Qinyou Dongtang.

　　The ingredients of Qinyou Dongtang come from the unique water and soil conditions of Gaoyou. The product was developed due to the virtuous deeds of cultural figures, its refined production process has been optimized by workshop owners and factory workers over generations, and its fame has spread thanks to its distinctive taste—soft, fragrant, sweet, and delicious. It has been a favored treat and poetic muse for famous poets throughout the ages, and also represents the crystallization of the living wisdom of the people of Gaoyou. It has won accolades at the Nanyang Industrial Exposition, the First China Food Expo, and the West Lake International Food Expo.