Basic Chinese Chicken Soup Stock (Soup Base)

Ingredient Name:  Candied winter melon, sugared winter melon, or candied gourd

Traditional Chinese Name: 糖冬瓜 (táng dōng guā)

What is this?

• Cooked and sugar coated winter melon
• The sugar is usually a glucose type substance that the melon is dipped in and allowed to dry
• A very common Asian snack
• Easily made at home

How do I prepare it?

• If you’re purchasing it premade, no preparation needed

Where can I buy this?

This is available in most Asian supermarkets
It is also commonly sold in Asian “snack” stores that carry a variety of traditional Chinese snacks
If you can’t find premade sugared winter melon, you can also consider making it

What is the cost?

• Extremely affordable
• A few pieces cost $2-3 HKD (as pictured above)

Any benefits?

Winter melons are known to remove heatiness and helps detoxify the body
There are a variety of uses for candied winter melon (soups, stews, desserts or eaten as is)

Any precautions?

• The sugar : melon ratio is quite high, meaning it’s high in sugars
• Consume in moderation

References:

• https://www.thechinesesouplady.com/winter-melon/