Aiyu jelly (Taiwanese dessert)
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Aiyu jelly is a refreshing, translucent dessert popular in Taiwan, made by mixing the seeds of the Taiwanese fig (Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang) with water and lime juice. The seeds release natural pectin, which sets into a soft, bouncy jelly without any cooking. It's typically served chilled with honey, lemon, or a sweet syrup.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Aiyu jelly is very low in calories, fat, and protein, with most of its minimal energy coming from simple carbohydrates if sweeteners are added. It's primarily water and provides a small amount of dietary fiber from the fig seeds.
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a beloved summer street food in Taiwan, prized for its cooling properties in traditional Chinese medicine. Nutritionally, it's unique because the jelly forms through a cold chemical reaction with lime juice, requiring no heat or added gelatin.