Tanghulu is one of the traditional Chinese folk specialties which is made with hawthorn, sugar and bamboo skewers. The red and yellow hawthorns are sweet and sour, and the aftertaste will linger in your mouth. Tanghulu is one of the most common traditional snacks at the old Beijing temple fair. Tanghulu tends to remind people of their childhood, and people all remember the sour and sweet taste vividly. According to the historical record, Tanghulu was first made in old ways in the Song Dynasty, and in Qing Dynasty it became popular in various places. It can be seen in tea houses, theaters, streets and alleys, and has now become a traditional snack in China. Tanghulu is suitable for all ages. It can help whet the appetite, beautify the skin, enhance intelligence, combat fatigue, and expel heat.

Some people said that Tanghulu is also related to Emperor Guangzong of the Southern Song Dynasty. Song Guangzong's favorite Huang noble consort was sick, and her face was pale and didn't want to eat anything. The imperial physician in the palace used many valuable medicines, but they still had no effect. Seeing his beloved noble consort was getting more and more emaciated and thin day by day, the emperor was also very depressed all day. So, they had no choice but to recruit good doctors from civil society. Soon, a doctor volunteered to have a try. He felt Huang noble consort's pulse and said: "Huang noble consort's illness is not serious. Just boil sugar and hawthorn fruit together, and eat seven or eight thorns before each meal. Then she will recover in a few days.”

At first, everyone did not believe this doctor, but after Huang noble consort ate it, the disease improved. Later, this eating method of hawthorns was spread to the public, and people skewered it up and sold it, which is the Tanghulu we see now.

Places to buy Tanghulu: supermarkets in Beijing