An Unexpected Chinese Treat

Sometimes the food gods smile upon me when I least expect it. I spotted a friend of mine munching on a pack of Hawthorn cakes (though I used to know them as Haw Flakes). I asked her how she obtained these delights and she told me that I Chinese friend had brought a a fair few packs over to Korea, she then proceeded to hand me five of those sacred little packets. My luck was well and truly in that day...



If you've never had these odd little Chinese sweets then be prepared for a rather strange taste sensation. Made from the berries of the Chinese hawthorn tree, these thin mini-discs of sweet/sour goodness are incredibly addictive once you get a taste for them. I'm not quite sure when I first tried them, but I have happy memories of Saturday afternoons going out for Chinese food with my parents, then popping into the little grocers next door and picking up ten packs of these sweets. A childhood addiction that hasn't been sated for many years, tasting these flakes again brings a happiness to my taste buds.

I've never seen them for sale in Korea, but if any of you, my dear readers, know where I might get my hands on them then please do drop me a line. I have a craving for more Haw Flakes...