TikTok's latest culinary craze is an ancient dragon's beard candy recipe that has gone viral.

The ancient Chinese delicacy, dragon's beard candy, has gained popularity among TikTok's food community as a viral trend.

You can easily make this traditional dessert at home with simple ingredients and some practice.

Read on to discover the secrets behind pulling sugar strands like a pro.

Here's everything you need to know.

What is dragon's beard candy?

The candy known as dragon's beard is renowned for its delicate, string-like form and the sensation of dissolving in your mouth as you savor it.

It shares similarities in appearance and texture with cotton candy.

The sugary confection requires a labor-intensive preparation method involving repeated stretching and folding.

What is the history of dragon's beard candy?

The history of dragon's beard candy dates back to the Han dynasty, approximately 2,000 years ago, although its exact origins remain unknown.

According to Atlas Obscura, the dragon's beard candy was initially made by court chefs in the imperial palace as a special treat for the emperor and the royal family.

Due to its intricate preparation process, the sweet treat was reserved for royalty and the wealthy elite, symbolizing luxury and sophistication.

The candy has since gained popularity beyond the imperial court.

Lunar New Year celebrations in China are particularly fond of this delicacy.

How did dragon's beard candy get its name?

The name of dragon's beard candy is inspired by its resemblance to a dragon's whiskers.

In Chinese culture, dragons are often associated with power, strength, and good fortune.

The Chinese zodiac includes mythical creatures, which are believed to symbolize leadership traits.

Dragon's beard candy, in addition to being a delicious snack, is a tribute to the country's rich history.

Why is dragon's beard candy trending?

Rivata Dutta, also known as Riv, has gained over 21 million views on TikTok for her videos detailing the process of making dragon's beard candy on her channel "rivovershares."

Dutta, a Los Angeles-based TikTok creator, believes the food trend originated from the challenge of achieving one million strands of hair with the recipe she got from Avery Cyrus.

Dutta stated that he believed people wanted to see me achieve a whole, even number.

"Watching videos where the audience counts along and anticipates the next number is enjoyable. However, I can't watch half of them because I become fixated on knowing the final number. I'm always wondering if it's a good number that satisfies my brain or not."

The trend of cooking aligns with people's interest in watching food preparation in a visually appealing way, she said.

What is the recipe for dragon's beard candy?

Dutta revealed to Planet Chronicle Digital that she mixed sugar, corn syrup, vinegar, and water in a medium-sized pot to make her dragon's beard candy.

She recommended the following measurements:

• 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2½ tablespoons of corn syrup
• ½ cup of water

Dutta then whisked the ingredients together and heated the pot on the stove.

She put a candy thermometer into the pot and waited for it to hit the hard-ball stage, which is between 250 F and 265 F.

After reaching the appropriate temperature, the syrup is poured onto a flat surface coated with cornstarch and allowed to cool slightly.

The syrup must be pulled and stretched repeatedly to create fine strands.

To successfully make confection, Dutta advised waiting for the mixture to cool down completely, as shared with Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Dutta advised, "It's best to forget about it, but not so long that it becomes as hard as a rock.""

To create fine strands, the syrup must be pulled and stretched repeatedly after it cools.

These strands are then twisted and folded to form multiple layers.

To prevent sticking, a dusting of cornstarch should be applied to the syrup after it has been stretched into thin strands and layered.

After coating, the candy can be cut into bite-sized pieces and served immediately or stored in an airtight container for later consumption.

Anyone can master the art of creating this historic treat with patience and practice.

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