Haw flakes
Encyclopedia
Haw flakes are Chinese
sweets made from the fruit of the Chinese hawthorn
. The dark pink candy is usually formed into discs one millimeter thick. Some Chinese people take the flakes with bitter Chinese herbal medicine.
and are available in many parts of Asia. They have been available in Hong Kong
and Malaysia, since the 1970s. There has been very little change in the recipe or taste from the original version.
slices or raisins, with a slight tang of guava
. The candy is soft and chewy with a fruity sweetness and a slight chalky texture. By comparison to other dried fruit sold as confectionery
, they are relatively inexpensive.
Gourmet haw flakes are also available at specialty Chinese markets. Gourmet haw flakes tend to be larger than the Shandong
haw flakes (gourmet haw flakes are about 35–40 mm in diameter whereas the Shandong haw flakes are about 25 mm in diameter.)
for containing Ponceau 4R
(E124, Acid Red 18), an unapproved artificial color
ing.
Chinese cuisine
Chinese cuisine is any of several styles originating in the regions of China, some of which have become highly popular in other parts of the world – from Asia to the Americas, Australia, Western Europe and Southern Africa...
sweets made from the fruit of the Chinese hawthorn
Crataegus pinnatifida
Crataegus pinnatifida, also known as Chinese hawthorn or shānzhā , refers to a small to a medium-sized tree as well as the fruit of the tree. The fruit is bright red, 1.5 inches in diameter.-Culinary use:...
. The dark pink candy is usually formed into discs one millimeter thick. Some Chinese people take the flakes with bitter Chinese herbal medicine.
History
Haw flakes are manufactured in ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and are available in many parts of Asia. They have been available in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Malaysia, since the 1970s. There has been very little change in the recipe or taste from the original version.
Taste
Haw flakes are reminiscent of dried pineapplePineapple
Pineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit, which is actually a multiple fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It was given the name pineapple due to its resemblance to a pine cone. The pineapple is by far the most economically important plant in the Bromeliaceae...
slices or raisins, with a slight tang of guava
Guava
Guavas are plants in the myrtle family genus Psidium , which contains about 100 species of tropical shrubs and small trees. They are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America...
. The candy is soft and chewy with a fruity sweetness and a slight chalky texture. By comparison to other dried fruit sold as confectionery
Confectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
, they are relatively inexpensive.
Variety
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
haw flakes (gourmet haw flakes are about 35–40 mm in diameter whereas the Shandong haw flakes are about 25 mm in diameter.)
Regulation
Haw flakes have been seized on several occasions by the United States Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
for containing Ponceau 4R
Ponceau 4R
Ponceau 4R , SX purple) is a synthetic colourant that may be used as a food colouring. It is denoted by E Number E124...
(E124, Acid Red 18), an unapproved artificial color
Food coloring
Food coloring is a substance, liquid or powder, that is added to food or drink to change its color. Food coloring is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking...
ing.