MCM College: Macao Old Brand Series – “A Wispy Delight of Dragon’s Beard Candy” Workshop

滿珍紀念書院:澳門老字號系列 - 糖韻傳承,澳門記憶

On 14 April 2024, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau held a workshop titled “A Wispy Delight of Dragon’s Beard Candy” – a collaboration with Frost Ice Snow Creative Experimental Theatre to promote culture preservation and innovation. Dragon’s beard candy is an iconic traditional snack in Macao.  In 2020, it was attributed to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Macao.

Yau Kei Dragon’s Beard Candy was founded in 1986 by “Uncle Yau” and his persistence of making sweets for Macau people endured 40 years. During the workshop, the second- generation owner of Yau Kei Dragon’s Beard Candy, Mr. Kenny Yuen was invited as the instructor. He shared the story of the changes in the shop and Macao, and how people’s changes to the old shop have led the store to survive through innovations and become a cultural icon of Macao. This was followed by Yuen’s demonstration of making Dragon’s Beard Candy.  After countless pulls, the millet glue slowly amalgamated into a “dragon’s beard” like silk quilt. After several pinching, the slender dragon beard turned into a ball of cotton. Participants were invited to wrap up the fillings and taste the candy.  Each soft, white, and long dragon’s beard candy embodies the emotions of the Macao people, and the layers of simplicity preserved in city’s history and culture.

2024年4月14日,澳門大學滿珍紀念書院與霜冰雪創意實驗劇團合辦「糖韻傳承,澳門記憶」工作坊,推動文化保育與創新。龍鬚糖是澳門標誌性的傳統小吃,2020年被列入澳門非物質文化遺產名錄。

祐記龍鬚糖由「祐叔」於1986年創立,四十年來他堅持為澳門人製作龍鬚糖。在工作坊中,祐記龍鬚糖第二代傳人阮銀釗先生擔任主導師。他分享了這家店和澳門的變遷故事,以及人們對老店的改變如何促使這家店透過創新生存下來,成為澳門的文化標誌。接著,阮先生示範了龍鬚糖的製作過程。 經過無數次的拉扯,栗膠慢慢地融合成了如蠶絲被一樣的「龍鬚」。經過一掐一捏,細長的龍鬚就成一團綿花。 參與者被邀請包起餡料並品嚐龍鬚糖。 每一顆柔軟、潔白、長長的龍鬚糖都繫著澳門人的情感,層層質樸保存著這座城市的歷史文化。