China is the world’s fastest growing economy, and the unfortunate source of problematic food exports lately. But no one can deny this country’s creativity when it comes to candy. Witness, for example, this simple street food vendor, who creates an elaborate fish lollipop (complete with detailed fins) out of sugar syrup. Using his cooking spoon as a brush, the vendor – though I’m more inclined to call him “artist” – pours the image of a carp onto the work surface, which cools the syrup solid. Add a stick and the snack/art piece is good to go.
I have no idea what it tastes like, but let’s hope it’s sweet and not salmon.
On a related note, check out these amazing pics of the dying Chinese art of candy blowing and be sure and click through for the story.
I found someone else on Flickr that posted the blown candy and asked her how it tasted. She said the artist was a smoker … and it tasted like a sweet ashtray. (I wish I could find a link right now.)
August 1st, 2007 at 8:55 pmI had one of these the last time I went to China! Mine was a phoenix, if I recall correctly…and they taste just like sugar. Crunchy, stick-to-your-teeth hard candy that would be forgettable but for the amazing artistry.
Yeah, I was incredibly tempted just to take a bite, hold on to it, and ask for another…and another…and another just so I could watch the guy! They were only about 10-20 yuan!!
August 1st, 2007 at 11:07 pmThis has astounded me since the 1st time i saw a related video. would anybody be able to tell me what kind of syrup was used? id absolutley love to try it out myself, being a crative person, i just cannot find a recipe anywhere, if someone could help me out id be so grateful!!
December 18th, 2007 at 7:53 pmthey usually just use melted sugar
March 27th, 2008 at 1:30 am