Traditional Xing Ren Dou Fu (Authentic Almond Tofu)
アーモンドエッセンスは偽物！「アンズの種」をすり潰す本物の薬膳スイーツ
Description
The absolute undisputed dessert of Japanese Chinese cuisine. However, most commercial JP versions are 'fakes: simple milk pudding scented with almond essence'. Authentic traditional Beijing Xing Ren Dou Fu soaks medicinal 'Apricot Kernels (Xing Ren)' overnight, grinds them in a stone mill, and extracts 'pure apricot milk'. This is set with agar to create the ultimate medicinal sweet, excellent for the throat.
Restaurants serving Traditional Xing Ren Dou Fu (Authentic Almond Tofu)
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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
- Nan Xing Ren(Sweet apricot kernels)
- Bei Xing Ren(Bitter apricot kernels)
- Rock sugar
- Agar(or Gelatin)
- Goji berries
- Osmanthus syrup
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe & Differences]
- (Authentic Kernels) NEVER use commercial almond powder or essence. Blend sweet-smelling 'Nan Xing Ren' (South Apricot Kernels) and slightly bitter, highly medicinal 'Bei Xing Ren' (North Apricot Kernels) in a golden ratio (8:
- Soak overnight to soften, and carefully peel off the thin skins.
- (Extracting Milk: This is Everything) Blend the kernels and water in a mixer (traditionally a stone mill) into a slurry.
- Wrap in a clean cheesecloth and squeeze violently to extract a pure white, intensely aromatic '100% pure Apricot Milk'.
- (Setting) Heat the apricot milk, water, and rock sugar in a pot, dissolving agar powder (or gelatin). *Traditional Imperial style uses ZERO cow's milk.
- Pour into molds and chill until set.
- (Syrup & Plating) Slice beautifully into diamonds. Pour over a clear syrup boiled with rock sugar and osmanthus (Gui Hua). Garnish with goji berries.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Intense noble aroma of apricot kernels and refreshing rock sugar sweetness、氷砂糖のすっきりした甘み
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Substitute with commercial Xingren powder, milk, and agar powder)
Pairing
Oolong Tea / After heavy meat dishes like Peking Duck
Trivia
[Trivia] 'Xing Ren' means apricot kernel. Legend says during the Three Kingdoms era, the legendary doctor Dong Feng cured people, asking them to plant apricot trees in return. He used the seeds to make cough medicine (sweets). The ultimate 'food as medicine' sweet, designed to 'clear heat and lubricate the lungs'.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Unlike the sticky JP milk pudding versions, authentic agar-set tofu has a 'smooth, clean, snapping' bite. Scoop it with the syrup using a spoon and drink it down. The 'noble aroma' of the apricot kernels pierces your sinuses, completely purifying your stomach and throat after heavy Chinese food.
Allergen
Dairy, Gelatin (or Agar)