In China, tanghulu is often made with hawthorn berries. The traditional dessert has recently taken over social media, resulting in warnings of potential burns if not made properly.Photo by Getty Images

'Do not make tanghulu in the microwave,' doctors warn, as kids get burned by viral recipe

Doctors from Australia to the United States are raising the alarm after children have gotten burned attempting to make tanghulu in the microwave

26 Aug 2024, 16:28 by Laura Brehaut · National Post

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The pleasing crackle of biting into tanghulu, a Chinese snack that has taken over social media, isn’t without its risks. Doctors worldwide are raising the alarm about the TikTok trend after children have gotten burned attempting to make “glass fruit” in the microwave.

In China, street vendors often make tanghulu with hawthorn berries resembling bright-red crab apples encased in crystallized sugar. On social media, creators have embraced the traditional dessert, making it their own by threading a range of fruits, such as strawberries and grapes (and even fried chicken), onto skewers and dipping them into sugar syrup.