Sweet & Tangy Tangerine Tanghulu
Easy Homemade Tangerine Tanghulu Recipe
Try making this classic Chinese street food, Tanghulu, right at home! Tanghulu is made by skewering various fruits onto a stick and coating them with a sweet, hardened syrup. It’s a delightful treat that’s loved by people of all ages. Using fresh, plump tangerines, especially when in season, will result in a delightfully tart and sweet Tanghulu. It’s also a fun activity to do with kids!
Ingredients
- 10-12 Tangerines
- 1 cup Sugar (200g)
- 1/2 cup Water (100ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the tangerines thoroughly and peel them completely. Make sure to remove the white pith as well, as it can leave a bitter taste. Once peeled, skewer each tangerine onto toothpicks, mini skewers, or barbecue sticks. You can arrange them on the skewers as you like, but skewering them makes coating with syrup easier and eating more convenient.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the essential syrup for the Tanghulu. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup (200g) of sugar and 1/2 cup (100ml) of water. Stir them together gently. This ratio is considered the golden ratio for Tanghulu syrup, so try to stick to it. The success of your Tanghulu largely depends on the syrup’s consistency and sweetness.
Step 3
When making the syrup, it’s crucial not to stir it initially after adding the sugar and water until the sugar has completely dissolved. Stirring too early can cause sugar crystals to form, making the syrup cloudy. Gently swirl the pot to help the sugar dissolve and become clear. Let it simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes, then reduce to low heat and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. The syrup is ready when it boils vigorously, the bubbles become larger, and then the movement of the bubbles slows down, indicating a thick, syrupy consistency.
Step 4
Carefully dip the skewered tangerines into the finished syrup, turning them gently to coat evenly. It’s important to keep the heat on low during this step to prevent the syrup from burning and to achieve a beautiful coating. Once coated, stand the tangerine Tanghulu skewers upright and let them air dry at room temperature or in a cool place. Wait until the syrup hardens completely and becomes crispy, and your delicious Tangerine Tanghulu will be ready to enjoy!
