Crack seed
Crack seed (Chinese: 話梅; pinyin: Huàméi) is a category of snacks that originated in China. It is highly popular in many regions, such as Hawaii. Crack seed are basically preserved fruits that have been cracked or split with the seed or kernel partially exposed as a flavor enhancement. Common Chinese terms for this type of snack are Li hing mui and see mui Template:IPA-yue. The snack arrived to Hawaii with Cantonese immigrants in the 19th century, when they were brought to work in the plantations.
The flavours are varied[1][2], ranging from extremely sweet and salty to sour flavours. Flavours can include rock salt plum, honey mango, licorice peach, or any kind of marriage between fruit, flavor types or preservative ingredient. The largest innovator of flavors in this category[citation needed] is the Yick Lung Company (translates to 'profitable enterprise') which produces and distributes many varieties. What originally was a food category, preserved fruit, has become a favorite snack of Hawaiian children and a unique cultural food.
Crack seed stores also sell candies such as gummi bears, and Sour Patch Kids, coated with Li Hing Mui.
References
- ^ Dennis Hollier. "The Sweet (& Sour) Life". Hana Hou! Vol. 9, No. 6, Dec 2006 / Jan 2007. Photos by Kyle Rothenborg.
- ^ Wholesale Unlimited (2007). "What is Crack Seed?". Cybersnacks.net: Hawaii's Favorite Local Snacks.
- Davidson, Alan. Oxford Companion to Food (1999), "Crack Seed". p. 223 ISBN 0-19-211579-0.
 | This article related to Chinese cuisine is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |