Bean Consistency
The split mung beans must be cooked just right. They should be soft enough to eat easily but firm enough to hold their shape. If they have dissolved into a mush, the texture is lost. The soup itself should be clear and thick with potato flour or water chestnut starch, scented lightly with pandan leaves.
Crispy Fritter Pairing
You cannot have tau suan without you tiao. The salty, oily crunch of the fried dough fritters cuts through the sweet, starchy soup perfectly. A weak version uses stale, soggy you tiao. A great stall will serve them fresh or give them a quick toast to ensure they stay crispy.
Quick answers
- Is it very sweet?
- It is a sweet dessert, but the salty you tiao helps to balance out the sugar levels.
- Can I eat this cold?
- Tau suan is traditionally served hot or warm. The starch base does not have the same pleasant texture when chilled.