These sesame balls are quite common street fare in Shanghai and date back as far as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
Don't get frightened by the name, the jelly-like duck blood requires delicate skill to make, as a proper amount of sodium citrate needs to be added evenly to the blood before cold storage.
The dish is usually served as a culinary delight typical to the Yangtze River Delta region during the summer solstice, as summer is a great time to enjoy the field snails commonly found in the area.
This dish has a strong Shanghai flavor and calls for exquisite preparation.
Shanghai cuisine, also known as Hu cai, is a popular style of Chinese cuisine.