Tianjin and Beijing are close at hand. Except for a few traditional local flavors, most of Tianjin's cakes have inherited Beijing's style. In the early years of Xianfeng in the Qing Dynasty, Xiangdezhai was opened in Hubu Street, the old city of Tianjin, which brought exquisite and delicious cakes to people. Nevertheless, it was not until the early years of the Republic of China that the name "pastry shop" gradually became famous in Tianjin. With the progress of industry and commerce, famous shops such as Sandeyuan and Guishunzhai have also opened. Throughout the year, there are many kinds of Beijing Bapian, Saqima, Honey Twist, Honey Supply, Walnut Crisp, Almond Crisp, Trough Cake and Champion Cake in the shops, which are the essence of Jimei cuisine.
After spring blossoms, rose cakes and wisteria cakes in early summer are always precious because of the limitation of flowering period. According to legend, the flower cake has a history of more than 300 years, and it was a royal cake during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Qianlong also favored fresh rose cakes, and once issued a decree that there was no need to offer fresh rose cakes to the gods. There is a record in the Chronicle of Yanjing: "Those who regard roses as April are called rose cakes. Those who take vines as flowers are called rattan cakes. Seasonal food. " Flowers and snacks are as beautiful as flowers and girls, bringing people the fragrance of nature.
It can be said that the flower cakes made by Xiang Dezhai are second to none.
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, a man named Chen, who lived in the north gate of the old city of Tianjin, opened a lantern festival stall to make a living. He was honest and delicious, and gradually became famous. Xianfeng five years (1855), he accumulated a certain amount of capital, so he opened a pastry shop in Hubu Street, named Xiangdezhai. Xiangdezhai dim sum is famous for its exquisite materials, fine production and unique flavor. With the booming business, Xiang Dezhai's original head office in Hubu Street couldn't cope with the customers at the camp gate, so he moved to Xijiandou, Long Ting, Ma Bei Road, where the sedan chair once stopped in the south of the Yangtze River. At the same time, Xiangdezhai has opened four branches.
Xiangdezhai cakes pay special attention to quality. The sesame oil used is ground by oneself, the rice is ground by oneself, and the fruit is chosen by oneself. Many raw materials are collected from the country of origin to ensure freshness and purity. Feeding is not sloppy; In the process of processing, strictly abide by the specifications, full of weight
In order to make flower cakes, Xiang Dezhai took great pains to put up a "buy fresh vines" sign outside the door in summer. At the same time, they also bought wisteria flowers from Shuixizhuang, a famous garden in western Tianjin, in advance for diners to take orally. The flower cake in Xiangdezhai is mainly filled with petals, and the candied flower stuffing or fruit stuffing is wrapped in white flour and baked. When the dessert is ready, the petals are sprinkled on the cake surface, and the fragrance is elegant and long, not to mention eating it. Diners may be ecstatic just by smelling it. In addition, the seasonal varieties such as Wudu cake, realgar wine cake, cloud cake, mint cake and plum cake are also guaranteed to be complete, which has won favorable comments from diners.
Tianjin people not only love Beijing Bakuai, but also Saqima is very popular. Saqima, which was listed in large quantities in autumn and winter, originally meant "gathering delicious snacks" in Manchu. It pays attention to mixing flour and egg yolk, and then cutting them into fine noodles. Noodles are slowly fried with slow fire and clear oil, and then glued into pieces with syrup made of sugar and honey, accompanied by raisins, green plums, melon seeds and other small ingredients, which are all delicious and breathtaking.
In summer, Tianjin people like to eat seasonal snacks such as mung bean cake, ebony cake, cold rice noodles and cloud cake. As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, shops of all sizes will prepare delicious moon cakes for people in advance. Old Tianjin people like to eat sugar-filled moon cakes, sesame cakes and white cakes. Customers can also order extra-large moon cakes weighing several kilograms from the store according to special needs.