When first getting acquainted with Chinese cuisine, many people wonder what desserts are available. When visiting a Chinese restaurant, opening the menu will reveal a vast array of dishes, but the dessert section often lacks variety. Chinese restaurants often offer fried banana or ice cream as dessert.

The popularity of these desserts makes one wonder whether China is the birthplace of this refreshing dessert. But according to historians who study Chinese cuisine, the first to develop the recipe for ice cream and try it were the Persians and Romans, not the Chinese. It's hard to imagine a national cuisine without mentioning desserts. Chinese desserts, however, are as original in taste and aromatic as any appetizer, hot dish, or soup.

The main difference between Chinese and European culinary cultures is that in China, dessert is not typically the end of a meal. They serve only fruit and tea at the end of every meal. Desserts, in fact, may be served between main courses.

The most interesting and unusual thing is that the Chinese use not only berries, fruits, and various root vegetables, but also vegetables and even meat when preparing desserts. For example, a unique dish is white meat in sugar syrup. To prepare it, you'll need sugar, pork, candied fruit, and starch. The meat is brushed with egg yolk mixed with starch, then fried in oil, dipped in sugar syrup, and finally sprinkled with pre-chopped candied fruit.

Extraordinary desserts from China

A delicious and easy-to-make dish, Peking apples are dipped in a batter made of water, eggs, and flour, then fried in oil. The battered apples are then dipped in caramel and immediately dipped in cold water to set the caramel.

Peking apples are a Chinese dessert made with caramelized apples.

Another interesting recipe for a caramelized raisin and nut mixture. Pine nuts, walnuts, raisins, and pumpkin seeds are added to a thick milk mixture containing vodka, cinnamon, and sugar. The mixture is simmered over low heat for ten minutes, stirring constantly, then transferred to a bowl that has been oiled and cooled. Walnuts can also be prepared another way: peel the skins, which are easily removed by soaking them in hot water, rinsing with boiling water, rolling them in powdered sugar, and then frying them in sesame oil. Other types of nuts can be used instead of walnuts.

When people think of China, they instinctively think of rice. It's a staple in many Chinese desserts. However, fruits are also popular, especially lychees, mangoes, and tangerines. Fruit is served fresh, candied, steamed, pickled, or fried. Cakes and sweet pies have nothing to do with Chinese desserts, as most Chinese homes didn't have an oven. However, steamed buns, small pastries, and cookies have been beloved and well-known in China for centuries. Popular Chinese sweets:

Mooncakes - the best Chinese desserts

  • Candies and various lollipops are called "tan." They are usually made from sugarcane or honey, and then topped with fruits or nuts;
  • Baked goods made from wheat flour called "su" or "bing." The most famous cookies in China are "moon cookies," which are traditionally served during the Moon Festival or the Mid-Autumn Festival;
  • Rice cakes or rice balls that are steamed;
  • Sweet soups "Tiantang";
  • Jelly with fruity delicious;
  • Ice cream and its Chinese variety, "baobing." This subtype of dessert is ice cream flavored with sweet syrup.