Introduction
Dragon’s beard, also known as “candy floss,” is a traditional Chinese sweet treat made from fine strands of maltose syrup. It was once a delicacy fit only for the Emperor of China, but today it can be enjoyed by anyone with the right ingredients and a bit of patience. In this article, we’ll go over the steps for making dragon’s beard, as well as provide 10 tips to help you make the perfect batch.
Methodology
Making dragon’s beard is a time consuming process, but it is worth the effort. To make enough for 4-5 people, you will need:
• 500g maltose syrup
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
1. Start by heating the maltose syrup in a small pot over medium heat. Stir it occasionally until the syrup is melted and bubbling.
2. Once the syrup is melted, add the water, oil, and cornstarch. Stir the mixture continuously until all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring for 5 minutes.
4. Remove the pot from the heat and let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.
5. Once the mixture is cool, take a handful of the syrup and roll it into a ball. Roll the ball in the sesame seeds until it is covered.
6. Place the ball of syrup on a lightly oiled surface and roll it out into a thin sheet.
7. Cut the sheet into thin strips, about 1/4 inch wide.
8. Take each strip and roll it into a ball.
9. Place the balls of syrup on a plate and cover with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out.
10. Take a ball of syrup and roll it out into a thin sheet.
11. Place the sheet of syrup on a lightly oiled surface and roll it out into a thin sheet.
12. Cut the sheet into thin strips, about 1/4 inch wide.
13. Take each strip and roll it into a ball.
14. Place the balls of syrup on a plate and cover with a damp cloth to keep them from drying out.
15. Heat a pot of oil to 350 degrees.
16. Carefully place the balls of syrup into the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown.
17. Remove the balls from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.
18. Place the fried balls of syrup in a bowl and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
19. Serve the dragon’s beard immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tips for Making the Perfect Dragon’s Beard
• Make sure your maltose syrup is of good quality. The better the quality, the better the end result.
• If you can, use sesame seeds that have been toasted for extra flavor.
• When rolling out the syrup, use a light oil to prevent sticking.
• Be sure to use a thermometer to check the temperature of the oil before frying the dragon’s beard.
• Make sure to fry the dragon’s beard until it is golden brown
