Tanghulu originated in northern China as a street‑food snack during the Qing dynasty, where candied hawthorn on a stick was sold at winter markets. Over time, the practice expanded to include other fruits and modern twists like flavored hard‑candy coatings.

In Beijing, hawthorn is classic; in the south, strawberries, grapes, and even cherry tomatoes are used. Some regions add a light soy‑sugar glaze, while others keep the pure sugar crystal coating.

Tanghulu is served on a wooden stick, often still warm, allowing the sugar shell to crack pleasantly when bitten. Vendors usually display them on trays, and they are eaten as a sweet snack on the go.

Tanghulu is popular during the Lunar New Year and winter festivals because the bright red sugar coating symbolizes good luck and prosperity.

Tanghulu pairs nicely with warm soy‑milk drinks, hot tea, or a savory snack like steamed buns, offering a contrast of sweet and salty flavors.

It fuses a modern TikTok candy (watermelon Jolly Rancher) with the classic Tanghulu technique, creating a bright, fruity flavor that isn’t found in traditional hawthorn versions.

Over‑heating the candy, letting it sit too long before dipping, and using wet fruit are the top errors. Each leads to a grainy or sticky coating rather than a crisp shell.

The ice‑cold water rapidly solidifies the sugar, creating the characteristic “hairy” crystal texture and preventing the coating from becoming gummy, which can happen with slow air cooling.

It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can keep it at room temperature for up to 4 hours in a dry place. Refrigeration will cause condensation and make the candy sticky.

The coating should be glossy, fully hardened, and crackle when tapped. Tiny sugar “hairs” from the ice‑water shock give a frosty, slightly matte finish.

The YouTube channel Hey It's Honeysuckle focuses on fun, quick kitchen experiments, viral food hacks, and approachable sweet‑treat recipes that blend pop‑culture trends with classic techniques.

Hey It's Honeysuckle often modernizes traditional Chinese street foods by incorporating popular candies or trendy ingredients, presenting them in short, high‑energy videos that emphasize visual appeal and simplicity.