Ai Yu Jelly

Ai Yu Jelly (Simplified Chinese: 爱玉; Traditional Chinese: 愛玉; Pinyin: Àiyù; also aiyu jelly or ice jelly) is a translucent, lightly sweet jelly made from the pectin-rich seeds of the aiyu fig (Ficus awkeotsang), rubbed in water to extract gel, then set and served cold with syrup, lime, or honey. It is a Taiwanese dessert signature, not Grass Jelly (仙草 / Mesona), which is dark herbal jelly, and not Almond Tofu, which is an almond-milk set pudding.

Characteristics

Appearance is pale translucent to faintly amber, soft and quivering; flavor is mild and clean, usually sweetened externally. Served iced.

Ingredients (overview)

Aiyu seeds (washed/rubbed extract), water, sugar syrup or honey, optional citrus. Distinct botanical base from Grass Jelly.

History and culture

Taiwan night-market and dessert-shop classic; related southern Chinese and Southeast Asian Chinese shops serve aiyu drinks. Soft folk stories about naming after a person are folklore. English menus say "aiyu jelly" or "ice jelly." See Taiwan Food.

Serving and variations

Cold dessert bowl or drink topping. See Taiwan Food, Grass Jelly, and Almond Tofu.

See also

• Taiwan Food
• Grass Jelly
• Almond Tofu
• Taro Ball
• List of dishes (A-Z)