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), for example * Simplification of algebraic expressions, ...

: 豌豆黄;

traditional Chinese A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or ...

: 豌豆黃；

pinyin Hanyu Pinyin (), often shortened to just pinyin, is the official romanization system for Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, and to some extent, in Singapore and Malaysia. It is often used to teach Mandarin, normally written in Chinese for ...

：wān dòu huáng), also called ''Wandouhuanger'', is a traditional snack or dessert in China. It was popular among the Chinese Han population, and then spread into the Forbidden City during the

Qing Dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

. Wandouhuang has been famous in Beijing since the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

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 The pea is most commonly the small spherical seed or the seed-pod of the flowering plant species ''Pisum sativum''. Each pod contains several peas, which can be green or yellow. Botanically, pea pods are fruit, since they contain seeds and d ...

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 Han may refer to: Ethnic groups * Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group. ** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...

people.

Legend

During Qing Dynasty, one day Empress Dowager Cixi, vacationing in the palace of

Beihai Beihai (; Postal romanization: Pakhoi) is a prefecture-level city in the south of Guangxi, People's Republic of China. Its status as a seaport on the north shore of the Gulf of Tonkin has granted it historical importance as a port of internation ...

, 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

Forbidden City The Forbidden City () is a Chinese palace, palace complex in Dongcheng District, Beijing, China, at the center of the Imperial City, Beijing, Imperial City of Beijing. It is surrounded by numerous opulent imperial gardens and temples includ ...

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