Guozi Gan is a traditional Beijing winter delicacy made from dried apricots, persimmons, fresh lotus root, and raisins. As the ingredients are primarily harvested in autumn and winter, and the dish tastes best when chilled, it is typically prepared after the coldest days of winter, known as Shujiu (a traditional Chinese calendar term).
This sweet treat carries a rich cultural charm. Enjoying a bowl of Guozi Gan on a hot summer afternoon offers a refreshing and satisfying sweetness that seems to soothe the soul.
In old Beijing, fresh fruits were scarce during winter. People mainly relied on treats like bingtanghulu (candied hawthorn) and frozen persimmons to satisfy their cravings, unlike today, where fruits like lychee, watermelon, and peaches are available year-round.
In literature, Guozi Gan has been immortalized in poetic verses, describing its ingredients and preparation process: dried persimmons, apricots soaked in water, topped with thinly sliced lotus root, and drizzled with sweet osmanthus syrup. This dish is enjoyed cold, offering a balance of sweetness and tanginess with every bite.
Famous shops in Beijing, such as Jinlongzhai in Dongzhushikou, were renowned for selling this delicacy. Street vendors, known as dabingzhan’er, would also peddle this treat along with other summer refreshments like sour plum soup and rose dates, creating a nostalgic sound with their metal ice containers.
Key Ingredients:
- Dried apricots
- Raisins
- Fresh lotus root
- Rock sugar
- Osmanthus syrup
Preparation Methods:
- Classic Method: Dried fruits are simmered in water with rock sugar, lotus root slices are added, and the mixture is chilled before serving with a drizzle of osmanthus syrup.
- Alternative Method: A blend of almonds, dried persimmons, and soaked soybeans is slow-cooked, cooled, and served chilled.
- Golden Thread Method: Ingredients like jujubes, persimmons, and lotus roots are simmered and thickened with starch, creating a more textured dessert.
Product Characteristics:
This dessert is visually appealing, with a harmonious mix of amber persimmons, orange dried apricots, and crisp white lotus root slices. It is sweet, tangy, and refreshingly cool, making it popular among all age groups and an ideal summer treat.
Phoenix Lee https://chinese-tradition.com/guozi-gan-beijings-traditional-winter-fruit-dessert.html