Blog

The story goes that during the Shaoxi period, Emperor Song Guangzong’s favourite concubine fell rather ill, losing her appetite. After traditional medicines failed to bring her back to her lively self, this glassy, sweet trick, reportedly suggested by an outside doctor is what worked wonders. Hawthorne berries were boiled in rock sugar, with her consuming at least 5 to 10 before every meal. Miraculously, the concubine made a full recovery and the recipe’s good word spread through the royal court and eventually the entire dynasty. It didn’t take long for the Tanghulu to quickly become a crowd favourite in China – a reputation that has clearly endured rather well through the centuries. Vendors eventually began experimenting with different fruits across strawberries, grapes, mandarins, kiwi, and cherries, drawing attention towards the snack’s potential to be not just delicious but colourful and visually striking. Of these, grapes have been a recurring favourite when it comes to recreating Tanghulu – the perfect pick to mark today’s National Grape Day! From China’s centuries old royal court, right to your home kitchen, this is how you recreate the iconic recipe. Follow the directions below.