Red bean / jujube paste

Red bean is an affordable luxury in the north often used in classic Beijing snacks like ludagun (donkey rolling in the dust), made from a sticky cooked dough and rolled up. That is probably why this is the favorite filling in Beijing and its neighborhood. Sometimes, the red paste is made from jujubes, or the Chinese tree dates.

Pastry: Shortcrust pastry

Filling: Red beans or jujube paste. No yolks, no melon seeds.

Tea match: Go with the flow, and pair this typically northern flavor with a favorite Beijing tea, jasmine scented oolong, or hua cha. The scented tea will lift the subtle aroma of red bean paste, and the lightly bitter aftertaste of the jasmine tea will help ease the sweetness of the filling.