A traditional Beijing specialty is preserved fruit, which originated in the kitchen of the imperial palace. Created as a way to provide the emperor with fruit all year round, fruits were stored in honey. Sounds delicious, doesn’t it?! That’s why the preservation process was adopted by the broader population and is still followed to this day to ensure the final product reflects a perfect balance of fruit that is not too sweet, sour, sticky, or fragile. Find Beijing’s preserved fruits at supermarkets and large grocery stores.
Update: June 10, 2021
