Wandouhuang

In ancient China, vendors sold Wandouhuang during Shangsi Festival (March 3 in the lunar calendar),[3] during which people travel together to have a Spring break. At that time, most people were more likely to go to temples to pray for protection and blessings from the Chinese God. Many elaborate fairs were held in the regions surrounding the local temples. Wandouhuang came into people's view through vendors. Because its taste won the favor of the public, eating Wandouhuang in Shangsi Festival became a custom in ancient China.[4] It is a traditional folk snack among Han people.[2]

During Qing Dynasty, one day Empress Dowager Cixi, vacationing in the palace of Beihai, heard the sounds of a gong and shouting in the street. Curious, she asked her servants to find out what was happening. The servants told her the noise was from vendors selling wandouhuang and yundoujuan, specialties of the area. Cixi had the vendors called in to show her these desserts. After tasting them, Cixi was full of praise for these folk snacks and asked the vendors to work in the royal kitchen of the Forbidden City and only cook those desserts for her. When Wandouhuang came into the Forbidden City, the chef there improved the recipe and refined the materials. Therefore, there are two versions of the recipe for Wandouhuang: one is for Cixi, and the other one is for the folk version.[5]