Chinese Yam in Hot Toffee (拔丝山药/ Basi Shanyao)

Chinese Yam in Hot Toffee. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese Yam in Hot Toffee, with its sticky, fragrant and sweet taste, is a dessert served after the main dishes in Jinan. It is better to consume it while the dish is very hot, but do dip it in cold water before putting it into your mouth, otherwise your tongue may easily be burned.

Chinese yam is one of the nation's traditional medicines, as well as a familiar nutritious food. It is rich in starch, protein, minerals, vitamins, fiber, choline and phlegm. According to Chinese medicinal theories, Chinese yam is nutritious and good for the liver, stomach and kidney, and helps to strengthen the human immune system. It also contains high levels of nutrition that can help with aging.