Thursday, May 14, 2009

Loving Jade 愛玉 Lemonade



Summer is here in Taiwan. My memory of summer time in U.S. is when kids in the neighborhood will put lemonade stands on the curves to sell to the neighbors who happen to pass by the curve. The lemonade usually sells at twenty-five cents a cup. The money earned are the 'pocket spending money' for the kid.


Well, there are also lemonade stands here in Taiwan, except here the grow-up sells a special lemonade, called the loving jade 愛玉 lemonade. The lemonade usually sells at NT $30 a cup, approximately US $1.00 per cup. The money earned is for the grow-up to feed the family.


The loving jade 愛玉 lemonade has a special texture when you drink it. This texture is similar to what you would feel in your month when you drink 'bubble-tea' in some stylish cold-drink stands in the Chinatown area in the New York City. The reason for such a texture is that a gumming substance from a plant, native to Taiwan is added. This special plant is called the loving jade, or 愛玉.


Actually, the loving jade has its English name and biology name. Its English name is called the Jello Fig while its biology name is Ficus awkeostang. The plant belongs to a Moraceae category. For more information, you can consult: http://www.lilyfruit.com.tw/data_29/book_01.php.


Well, I saw the plant at the organic fruit farm, called Ming-Hsung organic farm at Tong-Su on May 2, 2009. Attached is a photo of the loving jade plant.


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