Ye's Family Giant Tapioca Pearls Introduction
Ye Family Old Shop has passed down through four generations, and the owner, who has been in charge for fifteen years, is a native of Hsinchu. The shop is famous for its taro paste and tapioca balls. In traditional cuisine, the Fujianese style of taro paste is made with sesame or peanuts, while the Minnanese style includes scallions. The owner mentioned that since taro paste is a sweet dish, adding scallions helps to balance the flavors and prevents discomfort to the digestive system. The shop serves taro paste only as a hot dish and sells it from the Mid-Autumn Festival until the Dragon Boat Festival of the following year, as it is essential for the taro to be served hot to truly showcase its flavor, and the taro used is at its best after nine months of growth. Another characteristic of this shop is the handmade tapioca balls, which are large, chewy, and have a great texture. The owner insists on not adding artificial coloring or gelling agents, adhering to a principle of health and natural ingredients. The tapioca balls made from sweet potato starch are not rolled by hand like tangyuan; they need to be soaked in sugar water before cooking to prevent them from falling apart, giving them a pleasant sweet flavor. Since the shop is located on Zhongshan Road near the Chenghuang Temple, parking can be challenging, so it is recommended to walk a bit further down where there are several alleys or park on Ximen Street for convenience. Additionally, as taro paste is best enjoyed hot, it is not advisable to take it to go, as it loses its flavor when cold, making it unsatisfying!
