Yellow Rock Sugar, Young Ginger Root, and Ginger Tea
I know someone, and by ‘someone’ I don’t mean me, who used to love eating sweeteners from little packets (think Equal and Splenda) as a kid. Forget lollipops, who needed those when he could tear into a packet of sweetener. That’s all fine and good (well, not really), but there’s an easier way to get a whole lot of sweetness, fast.
Yellow Rock Sugar, alternatively known as rock candy, can be used in Chinese-style teas and dessert soups.
It’s a light yellow color.
Or an off-white. (You may also see bags of small white cubes at markets.)
The rock sugar in this photo reminds me of a high school science experiment where I had to make crystals from sugar. Did anyone else have to do that?
I bought the rock sugar with the intention of using it to make ginger tea. This is Young Ginger Root.
It has a milder taste than mature ginger root (and costs about four times more a pound, ouch!).
Who knew ginger could be pretty? The pink color is where the ginger transitions from root to stem. The ginger can be sliced very thin and used as a sushi garnish.
This is the ginger you’re probably more used to seeing—it’s still the Young Ginger Root, but just another end.
I appreciate you readers, I really do. I mean, you give me suggestions like making ginger tea (thank you Tigerlille and May!). I broke off a couple of pieces of the ginger, peeled them, then tossed the pieces into boiling water with a few pieces of rock sugar. After the sugar dissolved, I had sweet and spicy tea that tasted remarkably like the Indonesian Ginger Candy. I think this ginger tea is my new comfort drink.
mmm i love tea! i wish i could do this (it’s chilly out already!) but living in a dorm i will have to stick with microwaved water and my discounted celestial tea.
mmmm I think I shall make myself Ginger tea… Do you have other applications for Rock Sugar?
Not a fan of ginger really unless it’s in something and I can’t really taste it. LOL! I do use the rock sugar for oxtails though – cook for about 6 hours and the meat just falls off the bone. YUM!
My: I think your dorm mates will be glad that you don’t attempt to make this, because the kitchen will reek of ginger for sure!
Sonya: I’ve used it to make sugared soup for Chinese-style rice dumplings (you know the ones that come in plain, black sesame, red bean, and peanut flavors?).
Slammie: I want to try oxtails but don’t want to cook it, LOL. I would have never thought to use rock sugar in that way, so thanks for your suggestion.
hahah i looove the smell of ginger. They probably wont enjoy it and im the only one who drinks hot tea here. it’s such a bummer haha.
Oh my gosh, giant chunks of sugar. I tried making rock crystals too! In a cup of water, with a string tied to a pencil. Pour some sugar in the water and wait. Later, when the sugar clings to the string, break it up and wait again. Repeat several times and each time, the sugar crystals will form bigger and bigger. (I think I got kind of impatient though and ate it when the crystals were still kind of small. I got the gist though! The gist is what matters.)
Lian: “The gist is what matters.” Ha! Did you say that to your teacher?
You remember way more about the experiment than I do. All I can recall is that I did it, not how.
I remember that I made it at home in the kitchen, but I don’t think it was for class. I’m pretty sure I just did it because I found out about it. (How to make it.) And was like, “I MUST HAVE IT!” But gosh, that was ages ago. I do remember a science experiment but that was something like, what dissolves in water better, sugar or salt? Or something like that. Something ridiculous[ly easy].
I recently tried Prometheus Springs – Lemon Ginger, it’s the best ginger tea I’ve ever tried.
You know I always love finding those new spices at the markets when I visit China. And this sugar is one of the ones that I first had to try. I have visited most of China now and every single market in every single region has a something new to me. I love this site! Take care.
James: Oooh, thanks for the recommendation! I’ve never tried any Prometheus Springs drinks, but there seems to be intriguing flavors.
Phil Reyes: I get the feeling this Yellow Rock Sugar is probably one of the less interesting items to be found in China.
Your shopping adventures there sound interesting. Thanks for visiting, and take care, too.
where can I buy this sugar in oc, ca?
hi guys… i have the exact box of rock sugar, haha… but how do you break into small pieces to put into cup of tea? thx! -cliff
Maybe you could put it in a plastic bag and smash it with a hammer. Or rolling pin.