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What is Longan?
Longan (龙眼)or dragon’s eyes is a tropical tree found in Asia. The tree produces sweet white fruit encased in a brown outer shell. The flesh of longan is absolutely juicy, with a delightful sweetness and a floral aroma.
While longan is often sold as fresh fruit, the Chinese also preserve it dry to become dried longan. The dried version of the fruit is perfect for soupy Chinese desserts, such as this Longon Tong Sui (龙眼糖水) recipe.
What is Chinese Tong Sui?
Chinese, especially the Cantonese, believe in nourishing soups and liquid desserts for great health, beauty and longevity. Tong Sui, literally means “sugar water” is always made with the basic building block of water and sugar. While regular white sugar can be used, rock sugar is prized for adding the extra nuance to the final recipe.
The most blissful thing about Chinese tong sui is that you can serve the dessert either warm or cold, either with ice added or chilled in the fridge.
Recipe Ingredients
The delicate essence of dried longan is always so light yet invigorating. When you boil a handful of them with snow fungus, dried red dates and flavor the dessert with sugar, you get a bowl of refreshing yet soothing Chinese dessert.
Hence, the basic ingredients for this recipe are: dried longan, snow fungus, red dates, sugar/rock sugar and water.
You may also add other extra ingredients such as lotus seeds, gingko nuts, goji berries and peach gums. All these ingredients work so well together and the end result is full of collagen and nutrients which are great for soft skin and glowing complexion! I am a firm believer.
Please take note that all ingredients used are dried, and as they boil in the water, they reconstitute to yummy goodness. You may also add fresh fruits to the Longan Tong Sui, for example: pear or apple cut into pieces, with or without skin.
When to Serve Chinese Dessert?
It can be served anytime of the day as a thirst quencher, but tong sui is especially delightful as an after meal dessert.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 23 calories per serving.
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Longan Tong Sui
Ingredients
- 2-3 oz (60g-90g) dried longan
- 6 cups water
- 6 dried red dates
- 12 ginkgo nuts
- 5 pieces snow fungus (soaked until soft)
- Sugar to taste
Instructions
- Bring water to boil. Add the dried longan, red dates, ginkgo nuts, and snow fungus. Boil in low heat for 30-45 minutes or until the water turns brown in color.
- Add sugar to taste. Serve warm or cold with ice cubes.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.