Ginger milk curd

Ginger milk curd, also known as ginger-juice milk curd, ginger milk pudding or simply ginger milk, is a Chinese hot dessert originated in Shawan Ancient Town, Panyu District, Guangzhou in the Guangdong Province^[1][2] in southern China. The main ingredients are ginger, milk, and sugar.^[3] Water buffalo milk is used in the original recipe.

Ginger milk curd

Alternative names	Ginger-juice milk curd, ginger milk pudding, ginger milk
Type	Pastry
Course	Dessert
Place of origin	China
Region or state	Shunde
Main ingredients	Ginger, milk, sugar
Media: Ginger milk curd

Ginger milk curd
Traditional Chinese	薑汁撞奶
Simplified Chinese	姜汁撞奶
Literal meaning	Ginger collides with milk
Transcriptions Yue: Cantonese Jyutping goeng1 zap1 zong6 naai5

This article includes ginger milk curd's food science principles, potential health benefits, recipe, and cultural significance.

Scientific Principle

Ginger milk curd's pudding-like trait is unique because it forms instantly when adding ginger juice to milk at an appropriate temperature in a static state.^[4]

The most important part of the ginger in ginger milk curd is the ginger protease Zingibain. This substance with molecular weight of 31 kDa is found with three forms of isoelectric point that have very similar biochemical behavior. Their optimal proteolytic activity is 40–60 °C (104–140 °F) and maximum clotting activity at 70 °C (158 °F). However, clotting decreases significantly at temperatures of 75 °C (167 °F) or above.^[5]

Milk is a substance consisting mainly of milk fat globules and casein micelles in a continuous phase of water, sugar, whey protein and minerals. Casein micelles consist of mainly α(s1)-casein, α(s2)-casein, β-casein, and κ-casein, where hydrophobic α and β-casein are in the inner sub-micelle and hydrophilic κ-casein is in the outer part.

When the milk starts curdling, the curds are small, but as coagulation increases, curd size increases until the milk ends up with a tofu-like structure.^[6] When the curdling occurs, the ginger protease cuts open the κ-casein so that the hydrophilic C-terminus and the hydrophobic N-terminus separate. This disrupts the stability of the casein micelle. In the hydrophobic effect, the hydrophobic casein coagulates.^[7]

Health Benefit

Ginger milk curd has its own unique volatile compounds, such as decanoic acid, γ-elemene, and caryophyllene. Decanoic acid is produced when the curd was formed. γ-Elemene contributed to the pungent fragrance and is an effective anti-cancer ingredient. Caryophyllene is anti-inflammatory and antifungal. As a result, ginger milk curd has potential health benefits.^[4]

Production Method

Ingredients (Serves one):

• 50 to 100 grams of ginger
• 200 to 400 grams of milk
• 13 to 26 grams of sugar (or to taste)

The authentic mixing requires pouring quickly from a height. This process is called "撞" in Chinese, directly translated to "clash".

Cooking Steps:

1. Clean, dry, and peel ginger. Grate ginger, wrap in kitchen paper and squeeze out juice. This step can also be completed with a garlic press or a juicer. Since the water content in ginger varies, grate more ginger if the amount of juice is insufficient.^[8] Strain the extracted ginger juice with a fine-mesh strainer if needed.

2. Add milk and sugar to a pot or saucepan. Whisk the mixture and heat the mixture while checking the temperature with a thermometer. When the mixture is brought to 70 °C or 158 °F. Then remove the mixture from heat.

3. Prepare serving bowl(s) on a stable, flat surface. Add about 15 grams or 1 tablespoon of ginger juice in each bowl.

4. Stir the ginger juice, then quickly pour the warmed mixture over the juice. Do not sitr the milk, sugar, and ginger juice mixture at this point. Let the mixture set and cool at room temperature for about 5 to 10 minutes.

5. As the ginger milk curd sets, it should form a tofu-like structure. Serve with small spoon warm or chilled.^[9]

Cultural Significance

A bowl of ginger milk curd from a local shop in Zhongshan city, Guangdong, China.

Ginger milk curd is an essential component of the rich Cantonese dessert category. Its history, development, and production techniques all carry significant values from the Cantonese food culture and folk customs. It is associated with Cantonese traditions emphasizing wellness.^[10]

As Cantonese desserts's international popularity gradually increases, ginger milk curd has gained recognition from people in different backgrounds. This also contributes to the development of local economy and tourism. Based on consumers' nostalgia for traditional food, Cantonese culinary culture could be preserved by corresponding promotion.^[11] Letting more people know about and try traditional desserts like the ginger milk curd can strengthen people's connection to their cultural heritage and lead to a continuous enhancement of cross-cultural communications.

See also

• Douhua
• Junket (dessert)
• List of Chinese desserts
• List of desserts
• Food portal