According to the internet, Tanghuru (candied fruit), is a popular street food sold in Asian countries like China and Taiwan. I first watched them being made on a youtube channel that I enjoy called SAS ASMR, and decided to try them at home. They are super sweet and not something I would make frequently but they are an incredibly easy, tasty treat.
Just look at that shiny, happy snack!
One of the things I appreciate about making this is that it doesn’t require a lot of time and much of it can be done sitting down, if standing for long periods is difficult for you. For minimal effort you get an impressive, gorgeous result.
Please note that the hard candy shell may be a problem for some kinds of dental work or dentures, so keep that in mind.
Kitchen items you will require:
- A small, heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan
- Skewers
- A candy thermometer (I prefer one that clips onto the side of the pot). They are inexpensive and this is very similar to the one I use, and can be purchased through Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HgAkc1
- Parchment paper
Ingredients:
- 1 pound strawberries (or other fruit such as pineapple chunks, grapes, pitted cherries, orange segments…)
- 2 cups sugar
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 1 cup water
Directions:
1. Stir the sugar, corn syrup, and water together in the pot and put on the stove on medium-high heat. Clip the thermometer to the side to monitor the temperature.
2. While the mixture is heating up (it takes approx. 15 mins), wash and pat dry the strawberries and remove the leafy tops.
3. Skewer the strawberries. I’ve done 3 strawberries to a stick but find the dipping process easier with only 2.
4. Lay out a piece of parchment paper (approx. 13inx9in) either on the counter or on a rack or cookie sheet.
5. As soon as the sugary mixture reaches 300F/150C remove the candy themometer, turn off the stove, and remove the pot from the heat.
6. Immediately begin dipping your fruit skewers, one at a time, to coat the fruit and lay them on the parchment paper.
It is important that you eat these treats immediately. After about half an hour the sugar shell will begin to separate away from the fruit that will leak its juices.
Additional Pictures:
Sugary mixture cooking on the stove (above).
Fresh, washed strawberries (above).
Two strawberries to a stick (above.)
Happy eating!
Tip: You will probably find that any remaining sugar mixture in your pot solidifies very quickly and becomes nearly impossible to remove. Fill the pot about halfway with water and boil on the stove. The diluted sugar mixture will become liquid and can be poured down the drain and the pot can then be put into a dishwasher or easily washed by hand.