It’s almost midsummer again. During this time of year, in Hangzhou not only can you appreciate the grand view of lotus flowers in full bloom, but also can you taste a wide variety of lotus delicacies. There are even lotus flower special souvenirs for your selection …
Lotus Flower Cake 荷花糕
Speaking of lotus flower-related Hangzhou special delicacies, we must mention the lotus flower cake, which carries memories of Hangzhou people. The snow-white squares have fed many generations of Hangzhou people.
The lotus flower cake is prepared from rice powder. It is square with the top decorated with patterns of lotus flowers, hence the name. It tastes refreshing and is pleasing to both the eye and the stomach.
Because the lotus flower cake is easy to digest and can stop hunger, Hangzhou people have been using it as a complementary food for infants. The cake itself is tasteless; however, ingredients like sugar, mince, egg, or calcium tablets can be added to the cake after being steamed according to personal taste to enhance its flavor.
Lotus flower cakes can be found in many cake shops of Hangzhou, like Jiangnan Spring (江南春), Zhi Wei Guan (知味观), Jiang Shunfa (蒋顺发) and Daxing Cake (大兴糕团).
Lotus Flower Coffee
Hangzhou is beautiful and is even more so in summer thanks to the lotus flowers in full bloom. A café named “J · Studio (J小调咖啡集社)” has creatively developed the lotus coffee and named it “the Ruffled-Lotus at Quyuan Garden (曲院风荷)” out of its love for Hangzhou. Enhanced with lotus seeds, the coffee is refreshing and has the functions of relieving internal heat and helping to preserve one’s health.
The overall style of the shop is retro, and the place has a deep space. There is an old piano on the 2nd floor and a big balcony on the 3rd floor. When the sun sets, you can sit on the terrace to enjoy the sunset while savoring a cup of “the Ruffled-Lotus at Quyuan Garden”. The atmosphere is indeed very nice.
J · Studio J小调咖啡集社
Address: A112 Hangzhou Creative Design Center, 102 Genshan West Road, Hangzhou 杭州市艮山西路102号杭州创意设计中心A112
Hours: 08:00-22:00
Lotus·Afternoon Tea
“Lotus · Afternoon Tea” is a tea break activity introduced by Hangzhou Xinqiao Hotel. All desserts included in "Lotus· Afternoon Tea" center around the elements of mint and lotus flowers, with some using them as ingredients and some taking their shapes, which demonstrates the charm of West Lake incisively and vividly, and many of the desserts are exclusive features created by Hangzhou Xiaoqiao Hotel, hence the name, "Lotus · Afternoon Tea".
In "Lotus · Afternoon Tea", lotus flower-related special desserts include the followings,
Lotus Seed Macaron: The original fillings are replaced with lotus paste and butter, which is smoother and features agreeable sweetness.
Lotus Seedpod Meringue: Meringue is another classic French dessert. It takes the refreshing shape of the lotus seedpod and is cute and tasty.
Jiuqu Red Plum Tea Jelly: All ingredients are elaborately picked, with the high-quality lotus seedpods from Liye, a place known for lotus flowers, and mint leaves grown in the garden of the hotel, which can’t be fresher.
Hangzhou Xinqiao Hotel·9F West Lake Executive Lounge
Address: 226 Jiefang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou杭州市上城区解放路226号
Hours: 9:00-21:00
Consultation telephone: +86 571-87076688（5009）
Lotus Flower Souvenir
The Southern Song Hu's·Lotus Pastry
南宋胡记·荷花酥
Lotus Flower Pastry since ancient times has been the dessert for men of literature and writing. It symbolizes the spirits of the scholar-official: nobility, elegance, and high moral integrity. It is an elegant souvenir focusing on lotus flowers.
Recently, the lotus pastry made by the Southern Song Hu’s has gained popularity in Hangzhou. There are four kinds of flavors, matcha and shredded coconut stuffing flavor, blueberry and cheese flavor, milk and coconut shred flavor, and rose and cheese flavor. The lotus pastry crisps and the skin curls up, resembling a lotus flower. It’s pleasing to the eye, tastes crispy and refreshing, and smells great. Every bite of it looks like being integrated with the essence of nature.
The “Southern Song Hu’s (南宋胡记)” has many shops in the city. You can choose the one that is close to you.
Lotus Seed Wine
The use of lotus seeds in the production of wine can enhance the added value of the wine. The lotus seed wine exudes a light fragrance of lotus seeds. It’s mild and smooth.
If you want to choose some lotus seed wine as souvenirs, you can go to Jiande, Hangzhou, where there are a lot of lotus seed wine brands for your selection.
Why not have a date with lotus this summer!