Guilinggao
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| Guilinggao | |||
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| A typical guilingao dessert can, unopened | |||
| Traditional Chinese: | 龜苓膏 | ||
| Simplified Chinese: | 龟苓膏 | ||
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Guīlínggāo is a Chinese medicine that is made with the powdered shell from the highly endangered three-lined box turtles (金錢龜) and China roots (土伏苓; Smilax glabra). It is also eaten as a dessert, made in form of a jelly. Commercially available guīlínggāo are always sold as a dessert and do not contain turtle shell powder (despite the prominent turtle images on most brands). They do, however, share the same herbal additives as the medicine and are similarly marketed as being good for skin complexion when ingested.
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[edit] History
It was believed that Emperor Tongzhi nearly cured his smallpox by taking guilinggao. However, Empress Cixi believed his disease could be cured by worshipping a smallpox idol. She succeeded in convincing Tongzhi to quit his guilinggao regimen. As a result, the emperor died.
Guilinggao is thought to be good for the skin, allowing for a healthier complexion upon repeated consumption. However this effect, if any, is most likely attributed to the additional herbal additives within the jelly.
[edit] Variety
Regular guilinggao jelly is black in appearance; however, the actual color is more of a dark brown. Naturally, it is not sweet, but slightly bitter, although sweeteners such as honey can be added to make it more enjoyable.
Relatively inexpensive canned guilinggao jelly with pop tops and little plastic spoons can be found in Chinatowns in the United States and Canada. Although sweet and sometimes eaten as a dessert, it is very much an acquired taste.[citation needed]
[edit] Preparation
Guilinggao jelly is prepared from the powder form, very similar to how Jello is made. When it is prepared, other herbal substances, such as ginseng, are added to the jelly to give it certain tastes and medicinal values. The main ingredients of a typical Guilinggao jelly dessert found in North America contains: Water, sucrose, guilinggao powder, and American Ginseng.
