Introducing Guihua Cake: A Popular Delicate Flower Pastry from Chinese Series and Why the Lead Characters Favor It

For fans of period Chinese dramas, whether historical or fantasy, it’s hard to miss scenes where the main characters sip tea while enjoying intricately beautiful pastries, one of the most frequently mentioned and seen treats being "Guihua Cake" or what many know as Guihua Gao (桂花糕 - Osmanthus Cake), which has sparked a craze, making viewers salivate and eager to try this delicacy inspired by the series.

So, what exactly is Guihua Cake or Guihua Gao?

In Chinese, the word "Hua" (花) means flower, while the term "Guihua" (桂花) refers to the osmanthus flower, a small golden-yellow flower known for its uniquely sweet fragrance.

Therefore, the Guihua Cake we see in Chinese dramas is actually "Osmanthus Flower Cake" with a history of over 300 years dating back to the Ming dynasty.

This ancient pastry comes in various regional styles, but the two most popular types are

1. Crystal jelly type, with a soft, chewy, bouncy texture, translucent enough to see the golden osmanthus petals inside, offering a mild sweetness and refreshing aroma, usually served chilled.

2. Rice cake type, made from mung bean flour, soft and ivory-white, topped with osmanthus syrup.

Why do characters in historical Chinese dramas favor eating Guihua Cake?

Beyond its visually appealing look that enhances drama scenes, this traditional Chinese pastry carries auspicious meanings and reflects the refined lifestyle of the upper class in the past.

• A symbol of wealth and good fortune, the osmanthus flower (Guihua) shares a homophone with "Gui" (贵), meaning noble, honorable, or wealthy. Historically, this pastry was often served in royal palaces or wealthy households to signify prosperity.
• Health benefits from medicinal properties, Ancient Chinese believed the osmanthus flower has warming properties that nourish the lungs, relieve phlegm, improve skin, and promote relaxation. Eating this pastry with hot Chinese tea was regarded as a traditional health practice.

Easy Guihua Cake recipe to enjoy at home, fragrant and delicious like in Chinese dramas.

The secret to this pastry’s deliciousness lies in the smooth mung bean texture and the fragrant aroma of osmanthus flowers.

• 200 grams of peeled mung beans (golden split mung beans/peeled soybeans)
• 60-75 grams of white granulated sugar (adjust sweetness to taste)
• 40 grams of unsalted butter or cooking oil (butter enhances aroma and richness)
• 20 grams of tapioca starch (helps the cake bind smoothly and remain moist)
• 2 tablespoons of osmanthus flower syrup
• 1 teaspoon of dried osmanthus flowers (for decorative garnish)

Steps and method to make Guihua Cake (Osmanthus Cake)

Step 1 Prepare mung beans and grind finely.

• Rinse peeled mung beans thoroughly until the water runs clear, then soak in water for at least 4-6 hours or overnight to soften.
• Drain the soaked beans and steam them in a cloth-lined steamer over high heat for about 30-40 minutes until soft (test by pressing to ensure the beans mash smoothly).
• While still hot, place the steamed beans in a blender, add osmanthus syrup and a small amount of water or fresh milk (about 50 milliliters) to ease blending.
• Blend until the mixture becomes a thick, smooth cream with no bean chunks (for an ultra-smooth texture, strain the mixture through a fine sieve once more).

Step 2 Cook the cake mixture.

• Heat a non-stick pan over low heat and add butter or cooking oil. Once melted, pour in the blended bean paste.
• Stir continuously until the bean paste combines with the butter, then add sugar and tapioca starch and keep stirring.
• Cook until the mixture starts to clump, no longer sticks to the pan, and has a smooth, pliable consistency like clay (about 15-20 minutes). Turn off the heat, stir in dried osmanthus flowers evenly, and let it cool until warm.

Step 3 Mold and serve.

• Divide the cooked bean mixture into round portions of about 30-35 grams each.
• Press each portion firmly into a spring mooncake mold with a beautiful Chinese floral pattern, then release the shaped cake from the mold.
• Brush the cake surface lightly with osmanthus syrup to add shine and fragrance, then chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving to set and refresh.

Guihua Cake In Chinese series, this pastry is not just a brief background prop but a culinary cultural heritage reflecting the delicate artistry of ancient Chinese people. Enjoying this floral-scented sweet pastry while watching your favorite drama is a joyful experience that fans of Chinese entertainment and cultural traditions should not miss.