US Candy Makers Try Making Dragon's Beard Candy

[@muttshouse]

I had Dragon's beard candy in Hong Kong. It was quite a scavenger hunt as the man who made it was on a different street corner every day. We purchased a small 6 piece box. When he was done making the candy, we ate 4 pieces right away and it was delicious. After about 30 minutes, the candy was definitely not good but interesting. So this candy is meant to be eaten immediately and made to order. Usually you also wrap crushed peanuts inside the candy. And it is NOT sticky to eat. It is not really like cotton candy. The strands should be hair thin and no coloring is necessary. The texture in the wrapped bundle is a slight resistance/crunch and then it melts.

[@cheller8357]

That’s the correct way to eat it. Always stuffed with crushed nut or coconut in little bundles and always best eaten right after it’s been made. There is an elderly Chinese man who makes Dragon’s beard every weekend in the night markets of Chinatown in Sydney Australia.

[@OrAngeAnArchy]

IF youre close to a metropolitan area that has a moderately dense population of Chinese you may be able to find it there. I know that in the LA area you definitely can as I had it at the Arcadia 626 Night Market.

[@vennsim71]

The real deal uses malt sugar… and pulled till super fine, with crushed roasted peanuts wrapped in there. Delicious.

[@Sb-mj3zk]

The Turkish one lasts for months!

[@KoalaAquatics]

I would’ve liked to of seen them do it on their hook

[@lauravalles3792]

Loved watching 2 well known candy makers trying out something out of the ordinary. The conversation between Terry & Steve was priceless. Kudos to you for at least trying and thanks for the giggles.

[@locabynature]

I first found out about dragons beard candy from a KZbin video where the guy said he'd mastered the art and he was REALLY good at it. it's kinda strange to see two professional candy makers, somewhat struggling to do it. I've read that most people don't perfect it until doing it about 10-15 times. well...unless you're an alien and then you get it right on the first try. 🤣👽

[@damascusraven]

These two are having so much fun, they're like kids in a candy shop, literally.

[@axeavier]

But it would be interesting if this was a series where maybe once every couple of weeks, you two would watch a new type of candy making and then maybe have it made if the video gets enough views/likes

[@HerculesCandy]

Reaction then trying! I like that!

[@emmaputt2183]

Yes please. That would be really cool. And it helps get their view numbers up as well.

[@animerlon]

That sounds like fun.

[@daftwulli6145]

@@HerculesCandy yea that would be an amazing idea, and who knows you might learn a thing or 2 you can use for the company to sell. After all you never stop learning and can always pick up new things, even if you are already an expert in the field.

[@bcrouch2626]

@@HerculesCandy you should go to Logan's candies and look at there honeycomb candy. He shows how he makes it 😁

[@sujudiehardfan]

It is flavourless because it is eaten with a filling. Usually peanut fillings. And when pulling and rotating it the sugar to make a figure 8, you need to always make sure to top-up the corn starch on the sugar to prevent each string from sticking to each other. That way, after enough pull, you will get very thin strand of sugar and it will have much nicer texture when you eat it.

[@DABinCHRIST]

Sounds and looks disgusting

[@linzertube]

I just love Terry and Steve taking an hour of their day to try this for fun! They are so awesome!!☺️💕💕

[@HeliosFish]

Thanks for sharing your attempt. Yup, definitely shouldn't be sticky after it's done. Terry's attempt may have retained a bit more cornstarch internally when it was overly molten but ironically not enough on the outside. The starch needs to coat the outside of the strings to help it become individual strands ( kind of like pasta making, not enough dusting flour and your dough reconstitutes back into the same blob ). Extreme patience is the ticket because the aim is consistent, extremely fine strands of sugar of identical diameters. Steve seemed to be pretty close to working it out but seemed to have been thrown off by how fast Terry was making her strands and worked the cold base too fast You can possibly cut back on the vinegar if still concerned about the odour. The recipe i have that was translated from chinese is 190ml - Water 283grams - sugar 80 grams maltose syrup 300 grams glutinous rice flour or corn starch to coat the strands. This should yield about two dozen bite sized morsels. two options for fillings are crushed peanuts or shredded coconut. Wishing you all a happy thanksgiving :)

[@theclimbingchef]

Sugar is hydroscopic so putting it in the fridge would make it absorb all the humidity in the fridge

[@dawnsweeney6635]

I just love these people. i have terminal cancer, and I hope i can make it there from Canada in the spring. my one wish is to go there...Thank you for the joy you bring me. not to mention the laughs..

[@littleredhairedgirlsteph3922]

Hugs. I hope you make it, too ❤

[@dawnsweeney6635]

Thank you so much. Hugs

[@sherip1270]

God bless you , my dear. May you be able to get your wishes met.

[@sparrowcycle]

I hope you made it 💛

[@OrAngeAnArchy]

The best takeaway is you guys experimenting with a new confection and hitting every mistake, which is expected for the 1st time, is awesome because it shows how difficult it actually is since most people see the professionals who've done it for years and you don't see the mistakes that an amateur making this candy would make. It's very fascinating to watch as well.

[@OrAngeAnArchy]

Would it be possible to send you a box of Dragon whiskers just so you guys have an idea what the finish product should taste like??

[@sCarrieCemetery]

@17:13 Terry's "Winning!!!" after Steve broke his had me cracking up!! 😂🤣

[@kimwassenberghull4064]

This was fun to watch, Terry and Steve together making stuff brings back basement memories!

[@liambridges9479]

The main trick is too continuously run the bottom of the sugar in the corn starch so it's always dried, pull the "donut" by stretching a little and put one hand in front of the other basically keeping it the same size as you rotate it, then do the figure 8 and repeat process

[@JP-bn2kj]

Do a video and send to Terri! 🤣

[@kiwibird8441]

@@JP-bn2kj bet they just watched a video

[@jaymiedivinagracia1977]

@@kiwibird8441 Bet they didnt pay attention to it

[@MazzyJC]

Thank you for the laughs. The don't stir it inserts really cracked me up 😂 😂

[@woodyg75]

Excellent advice for viewers Steve on always using cold water if you will eventually ingest it. Mineral deposits and even rust may be present in hot water from the break down of the hot water tank. Emptying a gallon or two out of the drain spicket at the bottom of the tank once a month will eliminate a lot of those deposits but more importantly will add a few years to the life expectancy of the tank.

[@dakotahstacy4013]

I remember when I lived In a old house and the pipes were bad, they eventually all got replaced. But one day my brother got an empty tea bottle and filled It up with water from the tap….the water was as dirty and brown as tea….very gross.

[@wlbutler]

The assertion that hot water has more minerals in it than the cold water that flowed into the heater to make the water hot does not make sense. If the hot water has more minerals, then where did they come from? If you think that this happens because the hot water pipes are caked with minerals, then where did those minerals come from? That would be like thinking that filtered water has more contaminants than the water that went into the filter because the filter is filled with contaminants. They didn't put contaminants in the filter at the factory. The contaminants came from the water. The hot water tank is clean when made at the factory. If it is filled with minerals in your house, then those minerals came from the cold water entering the tank. So the water exiting the tank must have fewer minerals.

[@SusantheNerdy]

Tricks: get a mold to start that has a hole in the center! And heated cornstarch tray helps too :) Also, especially at the beginning, you don't want to just pull, you are semi pushing the ring through your hands. Watch the street people videos make it, they are a much better example to learn from!

[@bmolitor615]

now you need to try the second of the three great Chinese candies - WHITE RABBIT (well the homemade kind) it uses malt sugar which in the home version involves sprouting wide bamboo baskets of barley to get a huge thing of malt sugar happening - Steve would love it!

[@JP-bn2kj]

OH MY GOODNESS, I never laughed so hard! "Whatever you do, don't stir it." 🤣

[@Flyingbusiness]

I remember the first time I had this was in Shenzhen in China and it was peanut flavored. It reminded me of a peanut brittle almost because the outside layer was hard but the inside was chewy like a taffy. Was pretty good!

[@tohniaz]

Most vendors wrap the strands around a filling! Usual mix is peanuts, sugar, and some dried coconut. They're my favourite part of Lunar New Year!

[@Joe-gd2wu]

A whole R&D part of this show would be great. love seeing you try new things

[@redhedcompwiz]

Thanks for the attempt 😂 IF you ever decide to try it again I would definitely add flavor and pull it out in front of the heater you use for hard candy.

[@HerculesCandy]

IF we ever did it again I think we'd do a lot of things differently 😂

[@Dobviews]

Hey Steve, "Don't stir it." The cut ins are hilarious!

[@hokeece7]

You two are wonderful! You embrace every adventure that comes your way with gusto, joy, and humor🥰🤗

[@RebeccaChan-r8h]

It’s suppose to have a filling. Crushed peanuts mixed with sugar and coconut flakes. Just the strands will taste like nothing. It is my childhood.

[@LilianaKali]

This is a classic treat in my culture. I remember the first time my dad found it in the nearest China Town after they immigrated here. He was so happy to share a piece of his childhood with me. It tastes great if done properly. The thinner the threads the more like they melt in your mouth. And traditionally wrapped around chopped peanuts, but there are other alternatives. I still prefer the peanuts.

[@kdaniel8721]

This has to be one of your most entertaining videos to date! Thanks for sharing the recipe and technique. Maybe I will try it, seeing how there is a winter storm on the way and I will be housebound.

[@robin92101]

I've tried the actual thing, it's amazing. The texture of the strings are really nice.

[@berserkirclaws107]

Practice makes perfect! For a first trial it's pretty good and those type of candy get wrapped like a little parcel around some nuts or chocolate so it's okay that it doesn't taste wonderful just like that. Please make another video when you got it I'm interested to see what kind of mix you could do.

[@Heartwing37]

This was such a fun video to watch! I love the creativity and experimenting…

[@andreaelliott728]

Terri, I do the same thing with left and right! I definitely know which is which, LOL, but I’ll still mix em up! For my driver’s license test, the gentleman giving the road test told me to pull out of the drive and take a right. I proudly went left! He saw I was immediately mortified, chuckled and said “that’s alright, we’ll just take a different route!” 😂😂 Everything else went well, so I got my license, thank goodness!

[@ShellyS2060]

For some reason I have the "left, right" thing but for me it's orange and yellow. About 90% of the time I will identify the color wrong when saying it out loud.

[@HerculesCandy]

I thought I was the only one!

[@Elisabeth208]

i used the same recipe and only used a 1/4 teaspoon of vinegar it was perfect and i chilled it for 15 minutes please do more of these videos of making new types of sweets aka candy

[@Trueo9re]

With every pull you have to dip it in the sugar to stop the strands from sticking together. If you don't keep powdering the strands, they will stick together.

[@axeavier]

It would be interesting if a real dragons beard candy was purchased that was made properly to compare it to that

[@HerculesCandy]

If we make this a series maybe we could do that in the future!

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

6:20 I love using plunger cups for this because I hate scraping measuring cups and I'm paranoid that I'm a few milligrams short.

[@HerculesCandy]

Great tip!

[@chefcscreations]

This brought back memories when I visited family in Hong Kong and was walking around a Mall waiting for my cousin and saw a little stall with a man making dragon beard candy. It was amazing to watch and to taste. The beard melted into your mouth followed by the crunchy peanut filling 🤤. I only but 1 but wished I'd gotten more. HK trips in later yrs, never saw dragon beard candy again 😢

[@DjSidewayz07]

It’s funny how you get so used to pouring the sugar in large amounts, that you try to pour it into a little cup rather that just using the cup to scoop it out lol 😂 love it 😊

[@catalina9844]

So excited! You have to try again if this vid gets 100k!

[@TheBenghaziRabbit]

Congrats on 700k!

[@fatemehmaryam2419]

Oh, and also, you looked like y'all had fun! Definitely something that's worth practicing and adding some flavours to and see how it turns out! You should have Greg and Conner try making this! 😃 Would love to see how they do!

[@markhemmerle]

So glad you guys are doing what you're doing still just sound like normal people that have a candy making legacy keep up the great work 😊

[@hardcoregrandma]

Wow it doesn’t take much to impress you camera guy!! Lol.

[@HerculesCandy]

He is very positive and supportive lol

[@ShellyS2060]

@@HerculesCandy that's why we love him ❤

[@pattylecompte9846]

You guys! This is the exact recipe I grew up with, to make popcorn balls. We used the recipe from The Household Searchlight recipe book that was put out by The Capper’s weekly newspaper. It is delicious. We made it as often as we could. We cooked it to hard ball stage or a tiny bit more, if we accidentally over cooked it. I think that might have happened with you in this video. (This also a taffy pulling technique.) This makes me want to make my popcorn balls again soon. That is a heated table? I would hav used a spoon to stir the vanilla into it, quickly before it cooled off too much. Holy moley, this was a struggle! I think I would love to work in a candy making area. I’d eat too much and have diabetes. 😬😬😬You guys are awesome!!! That looked amazing! ❤️❤️❤️

[@sherip1270]

In your new series ( ah hem), would you please try making sugar free candy with no maltodextrin? I can't have things that elevate blood sugar and would love to try some of this stuff with you. I know, I know...Why am I watching this stuff. Because I love watching the Hercules family and all their shenanigans. You all are very entertaining. Wanting me some of those turtles that you make!

[@cikeobradovic1290]

Candy is directly conected with imagination. They put just purple color but he felt aroma of grape and that is kind of definition of imagination.

[@alaskawashington]

the perfectionist in me is struggling through this video 😅

[@Auchtahelweit]

Should be super delicate and fluffy, not quite cotton candy but melts on the tongue. The starch makes it soft and powdery but isn't overwhelming, and the peanuts inside add another element of flavour and texture to chew it with. It needed a lot more pulling and stretching over and over to get there! I hope you get a chance to try it out sometime if you haven't yet. :D

[@rd2dab]

I've been knowing about this for seems like 10 yrs. It's cool you all are making it.

[@bernicelycklama7619]

I thought Steve would have used his hands after eye balling the measuring cup. One has to wonder how it would have turned out IF it hadn't been divided? Love the JOY of experimenting!!

[@jewelianwest2324]

So interesting that 2 experienced candy makers can mess it up so big

[@tegs40]

i think they did a great job for the first time, it should be very fine and probably should have been pulled from the fridge sooner to be workable. trying to pull it evenly and slowly and dip it each time in the cornstarch. once its thin as hair take a small chunk of it and wrap it around some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to enhance its flavor.

[@rodgerball6149]

Ya, the secret is to stretch it super thin so it just melts in your mouth. Like cotton candy but the corn starch gives it a bit more of a fluffy mouth feel. I've also seen it where they mixed in finely chopped peanuts. Looks like your batch just got too cold from the start. Too bad your cooling table was busy.

[@melenatorr]

For the corn syrup (and for honey, too), I've seen people lightly oil a measuring cup and use that for filling with the syrup. It should pour in and then pour out pretty smoothly (at least from cooking shows I've seen. In real life, might be interesting).

[@eddiealvarado3252]

Your dad has a Jeff bezos type of laugh! Rich people laugh! 😂

[@brissygirl4997]

The videos of them making Dragons Beard in Korea are really cool and I believe they make it out of some kind of solidified honey then fill it with chocolate and nuts etc.

[@judysocal8682]

I think a technique review is needed. Thanks for sharing the adventure in trying new stuff.

[@linzertube]

I just saw the thumbnail again…it’s hilarious, now that I know what happened!😂. Terry and Steve make me laugh!

[@misslady2743]

Are they high😂 Well I think that they should have watched it again before making it.

[@ShellyS2060]

Ooo sugar, my favorite flavor 💜 Fast Steve for the win. Edit: OK so, it's Dragon Dreadlocks. I hope you guys had as much fun as it seemed. Sorry there where so many harsh comments. What the heck is wrong with folks?!? It's CANDY, candy is supposed to be fun

[@PRINCESSDREAMYLYN]

lol love it "Dragon dreadlocks" lmao.

[@traceykoontz2868]

I'm just at the beginning and watching him with that corn syrup 🤣🤣 maybe should have grabbed a knife 🤔.

[@judevicious3333]

You guys did much better than most of the other videos I've seen with people trying it for the first time. Well done!

[@bcrouch2626]

You should go back to the video you watched for the dragon breath and get the ingredients from there . See how that turns out

[@yvonnezyirek5167]

It's incredible how little space yall have in your kitchen. Remember when you walked into that space during/after renovation like wow look at all of this space. I'm looking forward to my visit on my road trip.

[@gottagift]

How to accurately measure a quarter cup of corn syrup. Measure 3/4 cup of water. While water is still in measuring cup begin adding corn syrup to the water until the level rises to 1 cup even Steven. I did manage to make some dragons beard a few years back. It wasn't thrilling and the novelty wears off pretty quick but i am sure it is a loved treat in the culture it originated in.

[@OrionOsiris777]

"Its important not to stir the mix" Steve stirs the mix with glee, multiple times lol

[@liz517le]

DO OVER!!! Lol Steve with the stirring!!!

[@ryanwhitley8570]

They usually wrap the beard around a nutty mixture, hence why it's not flavored. And they have their fancy tool that they use to start the initial hole

[@WaterfallFW]

Yes, try some more things. I’d love to see them.

[@thefancyunicorn]

i had this in seoul. the silky dragon's beard strands are wrapped around a filling. i think we have crushed peanut and also sesame paste ones. they are so delicious and watching them being made is really fun. the candy makers really ham it up for the audience.

[@lyndaholloway5469]

It was wrapped around a fill, but it was in their mouths.

[@bernicelycklama7619]

Just watched "Lemon Film" Jan 2023. Their process and the number of people needed to complete was impressive. I would like to taste the hazelnut and cocoa one. Try it again joining forces forget the divide and conquer thing a majig. I wish I could work with you. The next best thing is sit back and watch. Your work place is hilarious.

[@connie5241]

Perhaps with a bit of flavoring added, arranged in the shape of a nest and once set up and brittle, it might make beautiful, edible grass for Easter baskets. Interesting to see and fun to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@thetraderfam]

My company does freeze dry candy and I just love seeing the process of other people making different kinds of candy.!! So cool!

[@jennross6466]

Hello, I googled why is there white vinegar in Dragon's beard candy? White Vinegar: Just a few drops of white vinegar will help balance out the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor of these candies.

[@krystle7260]

Splitting it into two bowls would reduce the cooling time. I can't believe Steve didn't catch that since he's been making candy for so long.

[@EEsmalls]

"We were so precise" lmao 😂😂😂

[@dirtperson4221slash2]

We did it so precise..I watched the video today. You did? Respect lol

[@ATapia_official]

I love Taylor laugh! ❤️

[@kristinotchristi]

Oh yay! I'm glad you did this! I was just going to say you guys should recreate the international candy videos!

[@jtf267]

A link to your original post to this follow up video would be helpful. Microwaving the sugar dough coated with corn starch probably changed the stretchiness of the sugar mixture? It will be fun to see you try doing a collaboration video with the guy who did the instructive video. It is delicious when successfully made. There was a small stall in SF Chinatown that sold them but they were a bit pricey. I don't know if it's still around. The candies had bits of peanut sprinkles in the center. Airy and delicious strands.

[@heather2493]

This is fascinating… I wonder if it would taste better with lemon juice instead of vinegar? Because I bet the vinegar is for the acid needed to make the reaction work… ✌️

[@HerculesCandy]

Possibly, but I know for the first time they wanted to just follow the recipe...Well the ingredients anyway, maybe not so much HOW it's made 😂

[@heather2493]

@@HerculesCandy Oh, I completely understand that, was mostly thinking *out loud in case there is another time you guys try this. Anyway it was very enjoyable to watch, and I love you all ✌️💕 happy early thanksgiving my friends ❤️

[@LoliKami]

I don't remember tasting anything sour in the real deal before.

[@heather2493]

@@LoliKami I’ve never actually tried it before so I can’t say…… just wondering, since sugar plus acid equals science 😂✌️… and makes something completely different…. So I thought with lemon juice as the acid, it might taste more pleasant….

[@Navitus]

I just saw the dragons beard video and what do you know, the attempt is out! Yess!!

[@Saliscorner]

I think you arent supposed to stir it.... but maybe im wrong.... but also I like the dragon beard candies. Got them one once and they melt in your mouth.

[@Drummerchef13]

My hack for measuring sticky things like corn syrup, honey, or molasses is to spray or coat the measuring device (cup/spoon) with a bit of oil

[@michaelklein5242]

"Do not stir!!" 😂😂😂

[@redbeki]

They really do make it look easy in Taiwan! They work really quickly like magic!

[@christiroseify]

Fun video... Thinking the pulling takes practice lol, and I'd use powdered sugar instead of corn starch... What a fun Tween birthday party game that would make...hehehehe

[@michaelklein5242]

I'd love to see a 4-month long video where youse all watch rock candy developing.

[@danieljckson]

The "minerals" in your water heater came out of the water. If the buildup in a water heater came from the water then the water leaving the heater is cleaner then when it entered. Water heaters act like sediment filters. If the stuff in the heater was going into the water then the buildup would diminish over time, not build up.

[@carolspencer9396]

This video is a year old but very interesting, always amusing. Love your videos. I lived in the Syracuse area (Pennalville?) for a short time 33 years. We used to go to a place called Hydes, in Liverpool, N.Y. I worked at a little roadside restaurant just behind the trailer park the year I was there. I believe the name of it was Tasswoods. Have always wondered if that place still exists.

[@MetalHound_Radio]

This candy takes a lot of practice, I sold it in Vancouver till I got too busy with School, trust me you need to figure out how to make it work with the temperature of your equipment. If it was way too hard to twist and pull then get it off the heat earlier. This one went just slightly above temperature, It sticks to your teeth because you weren't able to pull it to the proper strand count ball park, which will be in 12-13 twists! Trust me, I truly believe nobody on this earth loves Candy as much as I do (and I mean that); I promise you this is one of the best and rarest candies on earth when you finally nail it (and it will never be your first time), especially when wrapping them around peanuts! Please try this again till you get it right like you see it in the Korean or Chinese Dragon Beard Stall demonstrations, when it looks that fine, it'll taste like heaven! Once you figure out the exact temperature that works for you, it'll always work! I'm so happy you guys finally tried this it made my time on KZbin today so worth it!

[@Ragecon87]

I’d say next time watch the video again before trying for a first time to have it fresh in your head

[@gracehampton7036]

“Don’t put yr hand on the bottom of that” *steve proceeding to change his grip so that instead of holding it with both hands and only partially touching the bottom he’s fully touching the bottom and holding it with both hands* 😊

[@heatherfisher9959]

If this works well, I would buy it. Just to try at least. I have no desire to try at home. I would, but have really bad hands. Couldn't pull it.

[@kathyk479]

Teri is supposed to dip after every pull! And Steve is pulling like Hercules!!! Lolol

[@sherip1270]

Hmmm, so is that why their company is called "Hercules"? Someone tell us the origin of their name, please. That would be interesting.

[@kathyk479]

@@sherip1270 Steves great uncle , i think . Or great grandpa , was names Hercules . The Candy store is named after him. It was named after one of the original founders of the company who is also a very loved relative. Very sweet!

[@katrinajohnson3776]

This video was hilarious!! I don't think the Dragon will live on in the Hercules candy kitchen.🐲

[@marlenekutcher938]

Head to the buck store pick up some metal measuring cups. Usually in a set 1, 3/4, 2/3, 1/3, 1/4 cups. Let hot water sit in the cup drain just before adding cold syrup. The heat of the stainless steel will make the syrup pour out easier. Love your videos and Happy Thanksgiving. ❤

[@chrisarcher805]

Should spray Pam into the measuring cup before using the corn syrup. Corn syrup would come out much easier.

[@xxhierophantxx]

Every video I've seen says not to do all the things yall did!😂😂

[@Ladythyme]

Too funny….thanks for the laughs! 😂😂😂

[@traceykoontz2868]

As I was watching and I don't think I have ever seen or tasted dragon beard so I can't say either way, but I will say to me it the texture reminded of that bubble gum that's shredded into the long strips it's to be like that chew stuff I think they call it big league or something reminded me of the grape flavor 🤗😉.

[@zacgvids]

omg, that yellow fridge reminds me of a Sears Kenmore refrigerator my family bought in the mid 1970's and it lasted for 45+ years and then we needed to get rid of it as we were cleaning out our basement. it was still working when we got rid of it. That was American made Quality. can't get that anymore.

[@Saol.Alainn]

When the bosses come in stoned:

[@Ari-ep2ub]

yall got to make the drive to china town and get real fresh hand made dragons beard candy, the real stuff is so good