Wandouhuang (

simplified Chinese Simplification, Simplify, or Simplified may refer to: Mathematics Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one that is simpler (usually shorter), according to a well-founded ordering. Examples include: ...

: 豌豆黄;

traditional Chinese A tradition is a system of beliefs or behaviors (folk custom) passed down within a group of people or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examp ...

: 豌豆黃;

Pinyin Hanyu Pinyin, or simply pinyin, officially the Chinese Phonetic Alphabet, is the most common romanization system for Standard Chinese. ''Hanyu'' () literally means 'Han Chinese, Han language'—that is, the Chinese language—while ''pinyin' ...

: wāndòuhuáng), also called ''wandouhuangr'' (豌豆黄儿), is a traditional snack or dessert in

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...

. It was popular among the Chinese Han population, and then spread into the

Forbidden City The Forbidden City () is the Chinese Empire, imperial Chinese palace, palace complex in the center of the Imperial City, Beijing, Imperial City in Beijing, China. It was the residence of 24 Ming dynasty, Ming and Qing dynasty, Qing dynasty L ...

during the

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing, was a Manchu-led Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China and an early modern empire in East Asia. The last imperial dynasty in Chinese history, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the ...

. Wandouhuang has been famous in

Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...

since the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty, officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming was the last imperial dynasty of ...

and became one of Beijing's traditional snacks. Wandouhuang is a kind of ginger- or saffron-colored paste-like cake with a slightly sweet taste that is considered light and refreshing. The main ingredients are yellow pea or yellow pea flour, water, and sugar. Wandouhuang is a classic spring product, so it was common to see in Spring Temple Fair in the past but today it is available during all seasons in restaurants across China.

Etymology

''Wandou'' is the Chinese name for peas. ''Huang'' means ''yellow'' in Chinese.

History

Custom

In ancient China, vendors sold Wandouhuang during Shangsi Festival (March 3 in the lunar calendar), during which people travel together to have a Spring break. At that time, most people were more likely to go to temples to pray for protection and blessings from the Chinese God. Many elaborate fairs were held in the regions surrounding the local temples. Wandouhuang came into people's view through vendors. Because its taste won the favor of the public, eating Wandouhuang in Shangsi Festival became a custom in ancient China. It is a traditional folk snack among Han people.

Legend

During Qing Dynasty, one day Empress Dowager Cixi, vacationing in the palace of Beihai, heard the sounds of a gong and shouting in the street. Curious, she asked her servants to find out what was happening. The servants told her the noise was from vendors selling wandouhuang and yundoujuan, specialties of the area. Cixi had the vendors called in to show her these desserts. After tasting them, Cixi was full of praise for these folk snacks and asked the vendors to work in the royal kitchen of the

and only cook those desserts for her. When Wandouhuang came into the Forbidden City, the chef there improved the recipe and refined the materials. Therefore, there are two versions of the recipe for Wandouhuang: one is for Cixi, and the other one is for the folk version.

Ingredients

Wandouhuang consists of peas or pea flour, water, and sugar. By using a complicated method, peas are turned into a purée, which can blend with water and sugar. As a result, the taste of Wandouhuang is delicate.

References

{{reflist Chinese desserts