The Chinese yellow lemon-like candy is taking on the internet at lightning speed. But it turns out, we've been wrong about its nature. (Or at least I was)
It may look like miniature lemons, but don't let its colour fool you. They're actually peaches. And they're called lock throat peach.
I was just as curious as you to figure out this snack. Is it sweet, is it sour, is it bitter? What makes it so special, and why is it known as the Nostalgic Lockthroat Peach?
And where can I find it?
So I decided to do some research on this famous Chinese snack.
What is Lock Throat Peach made of?
Lock Throat Peach is made of unripe yellow peaches. These unripe yellow peaches, also known as Yanling peaches, belong to the Rosaceae family and are named after its yellow flesh.
These are high in acid and are quite firm and crispy. Lock Throat Peach is not just a beloved snack, but a preservation method of unripe yellow peaches.
What does Lock Throat Peach taste like?
Imagine biting into a semi-raw peach. It has a subtle fruity crisp and a tooth-numbing effect as you bite into it. And instantly there's that strong hit of sweetness and sourness.
The name 'Lock Throat' is given due to its strong Sweet and Sour taste that confuses your taste buds and the acidity that locks your throat at the same time.
Now you may wonder why people (kids more particularly) eat this. Well, it's the Chinese version of Sour Patches or Pop Rocks. Some of us didn't like the feeling of candy popping inside our mouths, while some loved it.
The same goes for Lock Throat Peach. It isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's a fun snack to eat with your friends. And it's also a food preservation method that helped save fresh summer produce like peaches for winter.
History of Lock Throat Peach
Did you know that Lock Throat Peach didn't exist before 1987?
According to Baidu, the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences introduced a new variety of yellow peaches, a better type of Jianxu Yellow Peaches.
These, known as Yanling Peaches, were grown in the mountains. These were grown at an altitude of 400-1000 metres to test their adaptability.
Fortunately for them, the peaches turned out to be a success. They were a better alternative for Jianxu Yellow Peaches as they had a high yield, tasted better, and looked perfect.
In 1987, Yanling Peaches became a hit with many planters and manufacturers looking at ways to increase sales of these peaches across the country.
As we know, China has a huge land mass and population. Transporting fresh fruits across the country was a challenge back in the day when technology wasn't so advanced.
So they came up with a creative way to preserve and sell these fruits as it is. They introduced the Lock Throat Peach. Not only is it a snack, but it's also a fruit with loads of health benefits. These peaches today are grown in Southwest, North, and Central China.
Why is it called Nostalgic Lock Throat Peach?
It's called Nostalgic Lock Throat Peach because there weren't many innovative yet healthy snacks in the late 80s and early 90s, so this was a novelty and a big hit among kids and adults alike in China. They hold this fond memory to this day.
Nowadays kids have so many snack options, and Lock Throat Peach is unfortunately not one of them.
Is Lock Throat Peach healthy?
Yes, it's a healthy snack. Lock Throat Peach is rich in Vitamin C and has large amounts of Cellulose, Carotene, Lycopene, Red pigment and various other compounds. It's the entire peach that's been preserved and packaged.
Apart from the preservatives that keep these fruits in perfect condition for months, Lock Throat Peach has all the health benefits of a Yellow Peach.
So yes, it's very much like eating a candid fruit or Tanghulu.
Is Lock Throat Peach good for Sore Throats?
Well, if you have a common cold with a sore throat, Lock Throat peach may distract the discomfort temporarily. As these peaches are high in Vitamin C, your immune system will be strengthened too.
However, it's not a definite cure. Just like how lemon and honey help ease throat soreness, this peach snack can help ease it too if taken in a controlled amount.
On the other hand, eating too many of these lock-throat peaches can give you a sore throat due to their strong acidity. So make sure you don't overeat these.
What happens if I eat Lock Throat Peach?
Just like its name suggests, Lock Throat Peach is meant to do one thing. You guessed right, lock your throat! It's super sour and sweet at the same time.
The unripe peaches release an acid-like substance that sticks to your throat making it difficult to swallow for a good couple of seconds. But it's not the bad kind of sensation (if you know what I mean).
Is Lock Throat Peach Vegan?
Yes. Lock Throat Peach does not have any meat products in it. It's the entire Yanling baby peach packaged with certain preservatives.
To be on the safer side, make sure you check the ingredients on the packet using Google Translate to know for sure. The ones that I tried were Vegan.
Is Lock Throat Peach Halal?
Lock Throat Peach does not contain any gelatin or pig's produce so you can assume it's Halal. The peaches are not processed in any form before they are packaged. And the only addition is the preservatives.
You can check its ingredients using Google Translate just to be sure though.
As these Yanling peaches are genetically modified, they look perfect to the eye. It doesn't mean they are fake peaches. They just look and taste really good.
Where can I find Lock Throat Peach?
Finding Lock Throat Peaches today is a bit of a challenge outside mainland China. Your best bet is to try your closest Asian Market. The chances of them having it are pretty low as well.
If not, you can head over to your Chinatown. A quick walk around the city and you'll be able to find it.
If that doesn't work, you can order one of these snacks online for twice the price (we don't recommend them unless you have no other option).
Or you could ask anyone visiting China or Bangkok for shopping to bring back home some Lock Throat peaches.
Give it a try and let us know whether you like it in the comments below!