23. Sweet Melon Stick – Welcome to support the “HaiChuan Reunion Year” event in the Leisure Zone

In the old days, after the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, children would sing the song mentioned above, looking forward to the adults bringing back sweet candied fruits as soon as possible. “Tanggua” is a type of sticky sugar made by boiling yellow rice and malt; when it is drawn into long strips, it is called “Kantō sugar,” while when shaped into a flat round form, it is known as “Tanggua. In winter, place it outside, as the cold weather causes the sugar candy to become firm; it also contains tiny bubbles inside, giving it a crisp, sweet, and crunchy texture with a unique flavor. But when it gets hot inside the house, it turns into sticky and hard sugar lumps. This highly viscous maltose was already mentioned in the Jin Dynasty’s \"Jingchu Sui Shi Ji,\" where it was called \"Jiao Ya Xian\" (in terms of pronunciation and form). Bai Juyi, a great poet of the Tang Dynasty, also wrote in one of his poems: “After the New Year’s drinks, serve orchid-flavored wine; on spring platters, offer sweetened rice cakes first.” It can be seen that during the Tang Dynasty, it had become, just like fine wine, an essential item during the Spring Festival. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, maltose was put to use in a new way: it served as a substance to stick things together during rituals offered to the God of the Kitchen.

According to folklore, the God of the Kitchen was originally a star in the sky; due to committing a mistake, he was banished to the human world by the Emperor of Heaven and became the \"Governor of the Eastern Kitchen.\" It sits in the kitchens of every household, observing how people live and behave, recording both the good and the bad deeds in detail. On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, it returns to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the virtues and vices of each household. He returns to the human world on the night of the 30th day of the 12th lunar month, to punish the wicked and reward the good as ordered by the Jade Emperor. That is why on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, people offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God, presenting him with sticky and sweet sugar candies in order to stick together his mouth, so that he can \"report good things to heaven and ensure safety on earth.\" The children regard this day as a prelude to the Spring Festival and a “rehearsal”. As soon as it got dark, firecrackers were set off. Amidst the noise of the firecrackers, the head of the household placed a plate of candied fruits and a bowl of green tea in front of the image of the Kitchen God. Candles and incense were lit, and after praying, the image of the Kitchen God was taken down from the wall and burned. The tea was then poured over the ashes, while the children rushed to share and eat the candied fruits. On the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, sugar melons are offered to the Kitchen God in a lively, grand, and humorous ceremony; hence this day is called \"Celebrating the Lesser New Year.\"

Memories from childhood, full of happiness!

Mythological stories tell us that at the end of the year, tributes must be offered to the officials in charge of overseeing these places. Our ancestors told us that the values of good and evil are in the hands of those who hold power

Maltose is delicious, but unfortunately, once you grow up, your teeth can’t handle it

It indicates that there are already cavities, but the temptation remains strong

A favorite from childhood, now a memory. . . .

I’ve learned something new; we haven’t seen this in Hubei

We’ve really never seen this thing here; it looks so sweet that it’s almost overwhelming – is it even possible to eat it?