Aiyu jelly, also known as ice jelly, is a popular Taiwanese summertime treat. It is an absolute favourite in Taiwanese night markets, alongside other Taiwanese specialties like the world-famous bubble tea.
It is a jelly made from the gel from the seeds of the awkeotsang creeping fig found in Taiwan and East Asian countries of the same climates and latitudes.
“Ice jelly” is actually the very slick name given to the treat by Singaporeans; since that’s kind of what it looks like–ice in the summer.
In its native Taiwan, ice jelly is called Aiyu jelly in Mandarin and Ogio in Taiwanese. It is a natural jelly made using the seeds of the Awkeotsang fig, which is native to Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia.
The popular treat is sweetened with syrup or honey and served chilled and with lemon or lime juice. It is an all-natural and refreshing treat that the Taiwanese have turned to for centuries for relief in the subtropical summer heat!
Origin
According to oral history, the plant and the jelly were named after the daughter of a Taiwanese tea businessman in the 1800s. The gelling property of the seeds was discovered by the businessman as he passed through the modern-day region of Chiayi and drank from a creek.
As he was travelling in the unforgiving heat of the Taiwanese summer, he found a clear yellowish jelly in the water he was drinking and was refreshed upon trying it. Looking above the creek he noticed fruits on hanging vines. The fruits contained seeds that exuded a sticky gel when rubbed.
Upon this discovery, he gathered some of the fruits and served them at home with honeyed lemon juice or sweetened beverages. Finding the jelly-containing beverage delicious and thirst-quenching.
The enterprising businessman delegated the task of selling it to his beautiful 15-year-old daughter, Aiyu. The snack was very well received and became highly popular. So, the businessman eventually named the jelly and the vines after his daughter.
However, the Austronesian name igos, coming from Spanish higo, hints at a possible Austronesian origin for this food.
Benefits
When it comes to Aiyu jelly nutritional facts, there are plenty of positives. For one, it is rich in pectin, promoting good digestion and better absorption of plant foods. The Taiwanese dessert also contains vitamins and dietary fibre which can help decrease blood cholesterol levels and regulate metabolism.
An added plus of this tasty treat is that it is low in calories, with 90% of it being made of water. However, be sure not to go overboard with sweetening it as that can cancel out its low-calorie benefits.
Consuming the cooling snack can also be great for your skin as it improves blood circulation and can help in reducing swelling or inflammation.
Taste
Aiyu jelly by itself is tasteless as it mostly consists of water. This is why the dessert is usually paired with honey and lime to give it a sweet and citrusy flavor.
The texture is really what makes this Asian snack fun to eat, which is chewy and gel-like. It is similar to agar-based crystal boba or grass jelly, which makes it a great substitute when preparing plant-based meals.
The sweet treat is also commonly used as a topping for bubble tea or shaved ice. It is sweetened with honey or sugar syrup and added to the Aiyu jelly bubble tea or shaved ice dessert. Since the boba topping does not have a strong taste, it goes well with all sorts of boba or shaved ice flavors like matcha, milk tea and red bean.
Final Thoughts
Aiyu jelly is an Asian summer dessert that you probably have seen before but may not have known its name. This Taiwanese snack is a popular option to have during hot summer days.
Here by Boduo International, we have premium Aiyu Jelly Powder on sale, which you can instantly taste the gel-like toppings only by adding boiled water on it . It’s fast, convenient as well as delicious. Don’t hesitate to buy it now!
