Sugar Figures

Making sugar figures is an old profession in Tai'an. Small and toy-like, they are actually remarkable pieces of art, made by hand from a liquid type of malt sugar known as maltose.

Sugar figure makers put a little maltose in a spoon, put a small straw in, and blow gently to create a bubble, which they then use their hands to form mold into a small figure.

Sugar figure makers often go from street to street, attracting children fascinated be (and hungry for) their candy figures. Even adults enjoy them, for both their sweet taste and the fact that they often bring back childhood memories.

Sugar figures. [File photo]