Dragon's beard is a tradition of pulling the hard malt into fine threads that resembles the hair of the dragon's beard.
People have been making dragon's beard [candy] for thousands of years in China. It was the favorite delicacy of the royalties. Many would say that we are the only authentic dragon's beard makers here in Singapore.
Singapore
My name is Roger Poon. I've been making dragon's beard candy with my cousin, Auntie Lili, for more than 30 years.
To me, is a delicacy that can be enjoyed almost every day. Before 1988, there wasn't anyone making dragon's beard readily available in Singapore.
She is Singapore's first dragon's beard candy lady. It's a craft she passed on to me, and therefore, I am able to continue making this dragon's beard readily available for one and all to savor here in Singapore. First, we have to cook the pure malt and ensure that it can harden into the shape of a doughnut. We have to use fresh peanuts, and then, we have to crush it into fine bits of peanut crush. From then, onwards, we will continue using our strength to pull, and to pull, and to pull into the shape of a number eight, until the threads of malt become even finer than any human's hair.
With these fine threads of dragon's beard, we will wrap it with the crushed peanuts. The dragon's beard candy that is freshly made will be soft and smooth. When it enters your mouth, it will melt immediately.
Once I mastered this craft, I gave a millennial twist to this ancient recipe where I add a special ingredient such that the dragon's beard becomes instantly crispy; and once you put it into your mouth, you are able to breathe out white smoke that many people call "The Dragon's Breath."
Without anybody succeeding my cousin, Auntie Lili, from this trade, I decided to take on the role to continue making this dragon's beard readily available for one and all here in Singapore. I've loved to eat candies since I was young, and it has been a simple pleasure for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7YZ4G_-7ZQ
