Description
Not fresh fruit juice, but a throat-soothing traditional drink diluting a syrup made by fermenting and pickling Taiwanese 'Yangtao (Star fruit)' with salt and sugar over a long period.
Restaurants serving Star Fruit Juice
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We are researching restaurants that serve this dish.
On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Yangtao(Star fruit)
- Coarse salt
- Sugar
- Licorice(Gancao)
- Ice
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- [Fermented Syrup Prep] Slice star-shaped Taiwanese specialty fruit 'Yangtao (Star fruit: use a highly acidic variety)'.
- In a giant barrel (or jar), seal sliced star fruit, massive coarse salt, sugar, and Taiwan's unique 'licorice (herb)'.
- Let it rest in a cool dark place for months to nearly a year, extracting juice while 'salt-pickling/fermenting' (this is a Taiwanese folk remedy for sore throats).
- Extract the amber, rich star fruit essence (syrup).
- At the stall, dilute this concentrate with ice and water (or hot water) to the proper strength, stir, and serve.
- Being salty, it spreads a refreshing sweet/salty flavor like a sports drink.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Fermented fruit acidity and licorice aroma
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Store-bought Yangtao syrup (Asian supermarkets)
Pairing
Hot Xiaochi or when thirsty
Trivia
[For Adults] Historic shops in Ximending are always crowded. Similar to Japanese 'plum juice' or 'salted lemon'. Expecting fresh juice shocks you with the flavor gap, but in Taiwan's intense heat, this salt/sugar balance soaks into a sweating body abnormally well.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] The first sip surprises 'Salty!?', but from the second sip, swallow the rushing deep fruit sweetness and fermented richness slowly to soothe your throat!
Allergen
None