If you're a fan of Chinese dramas, especially historical ones, you've probably seen a sweet treat known as Osmanthus cake often appearing. As someone who enjoys the world of Wuxia and Xinxia, Osmanthus cake caught my eye. It's said to be delightfully sweet and I wanted to try it out!
I did my research and here's all you need to know about the beloved Osmanthus cake, and perhaps this authentic recipe is all you need to try it at home.
Here are the special key ingredients you'd need for this cake:
What is Chinese Osmanthus?
Before we get to the cake, let's find out what Osmanthus exactly is.
Osmanthus or Guihua (桂花) is a flower native to East Asia, commonly found in China. It has a very mild sweet sense and fragrance to it that smells a lot like apricots. These blossoms grow during spring and winter seasons, becoming a household flavour for teas, wines and meat dishes as the flowers can be used fresh even during the cold periods.
Osmanthus shares similarities with the elderflower which has a similar soft smell. Like Zongzi is commonly found during the Dragon Boat Festival, Osmanthus cakes are generally found during the Mid-Autumn festival and are one of the favourite childhood dishes, known as moon magic.
History of Osmanthus Cake
Just like the Rougamo bread - the oldest sandwich, Osmanthus cake has a fascinating story.
It originated during the Ming Dynasty, and the legend behind the beloved Osmanthus cake or Guihua gao is a story from an ancient Chinese book.
The tale unfolds with Yang Shengan, a revered scholar, visited by Kuixing, the Daoist God of fate, in a dream. Kuixing offers Yang the chance to gather osmanthus flowers from the Moon Palace, a place of divine beings. Eager for the opportunity, Yang agrees, and with Kuixing's command, the Dragon King of the Western Sea ferries him to the heavens. Mesmerized by the grand osmanthus tree, Yang plucks a branch and plants it in his garden upon his return.
Over time, the branch flourishes into a majestic tree, filling Yang's study with its heavenly scent. One day, a savvy merchant named Liu Jixiang encounters the fragrance and decides to incorporate the flowers into his products, creating the renowned Osmanthus Cake. As the aroma lures in customers, Liu's business thrives, making the Osmanthus Cake a beloved delicacy.
Where in China can I find the best Osmanthus cake?
If you're travelling to China, make sure you try Osmanthus cakes at least once. They're commonly found in Hubei and Nanjing. The ones found in Hubei are known to be highly fragrant as they add high quantities of Osmanthus flowers to the sugar syrup. The Osmanthus cakes found in Nanjing are softer and chewy. For starters, try the ones in Nanjing. Sometimes you may not like the fragrance of it.
What does Osmanthus taste like?
I was super curious to know what Osmanthus cakes tasted like until I finally made it myself. It's sweet and has a strong floral scent of apricots and peaches combined. Usually dried Osmanthus have a milder fragrance than fresh blossoms, but due to its perishable nature, it's often found in its dried form.
Dried Osmanthus flowers bring a great aroma to teas and liquids. This is why it's usually eaten as a syrup when it comes to desserts.
Is Osmanthus Cake Sweet?
Yes. Osmanthus cake combines sugar and is topped off with syrup and honey so it's sweet.
The famous Guihua gao is not only consumed in China. In fact the texture of the cake is quite similar to certain desserts found in Southeast Asia such as the Malaysian Putu Piring, Indonesian Putu Bambu and even the Korean Baekseolgi. The steamed Osmanthus rice cake has a similar earthly taste and mild fragrance. As it's served with Osmanthus honey, it's considered a dessert.
Is Osmanthus Cake Halal?
Yes, Osmanthus rice cake is generally Halal as it doesn't contain any pig's produce. However, certain bakers may include lard to make the rice cake mix soft and sticky. If you're in China trying Osmanthus rice cake, make sure you ask the vendor if it includes any lard.
Is Osmanthus Cake Vegan?
Yes, Osmanthus cake is vegan. It only includes rice flour, sugar, honey, water and Osmanthus flowers. If you're eating pre-made Osmanthus rice cakes, ask the vendor whether it contains any lard just to be on the safer side.
Health Benefits of Osmanthus
Osmanthus is like a magic healer for stomach issues, from bloating to cleansing the liver and kidneys and aiding digestion, it does wonders. It's also consumed to ease menstrual pains.
Consuming Osmanthus as a tea has more nutritional value than eating it as a cake, however, the cake tastes better, serving as a perfectly healthy sweet snack alternative to traditional cakes.
How is Osmanthus Cake Made?
The traditional Guihua gao is made using Rice flour. You may find commercialized versions that look more like vanilla cake, but that's not the authentic one. The Chinese Osmanthus rice cake recipe is a combination of rice flour and glutinous rice flour that comes with sugar and honey syrup infused with dry Osmanthus flowers.
Here's an authentic Osmanthus rice cake recipe for you to easily try at home. The ingredients can be sourced without trouble.
Traditional Chinese Osmanthus Cake Recipe (Serves 4 people)
Ingredients for Cake:
3/4 cup Rice Flour (120g)
1/2 cup Glutinous Rice Flour (60g) - You can find Glutinous rice flour at your nearest Asian market.
2 1/3 tbsp White Sugar (30g)
3 tbsp water (keep adding gradually)
Osmanthus Honey/Syrup
Method:
Mix the dry ingredients all together in a bowl
Add water gradually while stirring to make sure the mix isn't too wet. If so the cake will crumble while steaming.
Now you will have a dry, crumbly mix that falls apart.
Take a square cake mould with a removable bottom, and sift the mix onto the mould (a 20-mesh sieve is recommended)
Use a spatula to flatten the flour without pressing to the bottom. This should give you a flat white surface. (Don't press too hard, the cake will end up being hard)
Cut the mix into even cubes using the spatula
Sprinkle dry Osmanthus flowers over the surface and steam for 30 minutes
After demolding, pour 2 to 3 drops of Osmanthus honey over each cube.
Serve while it's warm (It doesn't taste good when it is cold)
If you can't find Osmanthus honey in the Asian market, here's how you can make the honey/syrup at home.
Ingredients for Osmanthus Honey or Sugar Syrup:
Sugar (200g)
Water (100g)
1/4 tsp Salt
Dried Osmanthus Flowers 10g
Method:
Add the sugar, water, salt and boil the mix over medium heat until completely dissolved and the mix is not cloudy
Pour the mix into a sterilized glass jar and add the dried Osmanthus flowers on top.
Mix to combine and leave the jar open until it cools down
Now cover the lid and let it rest in the fridge for a day. The more it sits, the more intense the flavour.
Can I make Osmanthus Cake without Glutinous Rice Flour?
Yes and No. You cannot make authentic Chinese Osmanthus cake without glutinous rice flour. But you can make the famous Osmanthus wheat flour cake recipe that's trending these days.
For this Osmanthus Cake Recipe, you need Wheat flour, baking powder, sugar and Osmanthus honey, which will be incorporated when kneading. Once the cake is baked, you can make a sugar glaze with Osmanthus flowers to top it off.
Where to buy Osmanthus Cake Near Me?
Chinatown is the best place to look for pre-made Osmanthus cake. If not you can buy Osmanthus cakes online.
If you really want to try the authentic Osmanthus Rice cake, look for the Osmanthus honey or dried Osmanthus flowers at your nearest Asian market and try making the cake at home.
We're curious to know where you discovered Osmanthus cake! Drop us a comment below and share your story!