At the table
Ask for a small piece and confirm its weight before cutting. Eat in small bites; divide a firm piece before eating.
Contains walnuts and may contain almonds and sesame. Firm nuts and sticky candy need care for young children or anyone with difficulty chewing.
Syrups vary. This Hotan version uses corn syrup, grape syrup and sugar; some batches also include almonds and sesame.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Syrups vary. This Hotan version uses corn syrup, grape syrup and sugar; some batches also include almonds and sesame.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Sweet and nutty, with fruity raisins.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Firm, dense and sticky, with pieces of nuts.
- How it’s made
- Heated syrup binds the nuts and dried fruit; the mixture is pressed and allowed to set.
Syrups vary. This Hotan version uses corn syrup, grape syrup and sugar; some batches also include almonds and sesame.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Its origins are linked to Xinjiang.
About this regional connection
Xinjiang: Made in Hotan homes and sold at the bazaar. Kashgar is also named as a place where households make the candy. The record stays with the Hotan block.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有玛仁糖吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A sweet cut from a bazaar block
In Hotan and Kashgar bazaars, marentang is displayed in blocks and cut into portions. Its dense nut-and-fruit structure explains why a small piece can be satisfying.