Eight-treasure rice
Eight-treasure rice (ba bao fan) is a traditional Chinese dessert, especially popular during festivals like Lunar New Year. It's a sweet, sticky rice pudding made with glutinous rice, sugar, and lard or oil, then studded with a colorful assortment of 'treasures' like red bean paste, lotus seeds, dates, and candied fruits.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is very high in carbohydrates and fats, primarily from the glutinous rice and sugar or lard used in its preparation. A typical serving provides a quick energy boost but is calorie-dense, with a ballpark of 400-600 calories per portion.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 85 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 35 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 30 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Phosphorus | 60 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.8 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, the 'eight treasures' symbolize prosperity, good fortune, and family unity, making it a centerpiece for celebratory meals. Nutritionally, its unique combination of slow-digesting glutinous rice and high sugar content provides a sustained, albeit indulgent, energy release.
