Ten terrific Chinese drinks you must try!(1)
If you've been turned of by The Top Ten Weird and Bizarre Chinese Soft Drinks, prepare to turn the other cheek and turn your taste buds back on again! China is a land of contrasts, and for every bizarre drink there's a delicious canned or bottled taste treat just waiting for you to crack open. Sit back, open wide and enjoy!
10) Chin-Chin Grass Jelly Drink
First let's clear up a couple of misconceptions: Grass Jelly isn't made from grass, and it's not always served in the form of jelly. The “grass” in question is actually Mesona Chinensis, a mint-like herb that's boiled down to create a dark green liquid.
Larger Chinese supermarkets stock up to a dozen different brands of canned Grass Jelly Drink, the consumption of which is said to have cooling effects on warm and humid summer days.
Chin-Chin seems to be the most commonly sold brand in my neck of the Canadian woods, and it hails from Taiwan. Chin-Chin was awarded “Superbrand Status” in 2005, which is nice, and as far as their Grass Jelly Drink (Honey Flavor) goes... it's kinda nice as well. Not too strong, not too sweet, pleasantly herbal. Some say Grass Jelly is an “acquired taste” and that's without even mentioning the odd semi-solid, “Orbitz”-style texture. Oops, forget I mentioned that. (Chinese drink images via Misadventures in Dining and Dollybeast)
9) HeySong Sarsaparilla Drink
HeySong Corporation, founded in 1925, is Taiwan's oldest currently operating soft drink business and HeySong Sarsaparilla Drink (introduced in 1950) is one of their most popular carbonated sodas.
HeySong Sarsaparilla Drink is sold in bottles and cans, the latter of which I picked up at a local Asian market for taste testing. Being a fan of Dr Pepper, Brio and other root beers, I can vouch for HeySong's authentic “rooty” taste.
As a bonus, imbibers should note that sarsaparilla was a US-registered treatment for syphilis from 1820 to 1910. That, at least, deserves a round of clap. (Chinese drink images via Dave's Cupboard and d_flat)
8) Apple Sidra
It's real and it's spec... well, maybe “spectacular” is a bit over the top but a drink called Apple Sidra demands a Seinfeld reference regardless. Much like Sidra herself, Apple Sidra is “Without Chemical Ingredients”. It says so right on the can... it's, not hers.
Apple Sidra is made by Oceanic Beverages of Taiwan, which seems odd as apples are not typically found in oceans. No matter, the drink itself is quite apple-y and isn't overly carbonated nor sickeningly sweet.
For some unknown reason, Apple isn't a popular soda flavor in the western world compared to Orange, Grape or Lemon/Lime. Why is that? The light, crisp taste of apples works very well in the soda medium if Apple Sidra is any indication. (Chinese drink images via Juanita and Craig McNamara)
7) Tsingtao Beer
Tsingtao Beer dates back to 1903 when the town of Tsingtao (now Qingdao) was the German-administrated Kiautschou Bay Concession. During their short (1898-1914) stay as colonizers, the Germans introduced a number of Teutonic innovations to the Far East, most notably beer and brewing. The original Germania Brewery still stands though it now houses the Tsingtao Brewery Museum.
Tsingtao Beer now commands 15% of the domestic Chinese market and it's available in more than 60 countries around the globe. It has been sold in the United States since 1972 and has maintained its lead on other Chinese beers such as Zhujiang and Yanjing.
A hoppy pilsner exhibiting a golden tint and a clean taste, Tsingtao Beer has a standardized 4.7% alcohol content and comes in characteristic green glass bottles and aluminum cans. (Chinese drink images via Slashfood and Willettsworld)
