Summer in Taiwan is hot and humid—similar to Florida’s climate, with temperatures reaching 32°C (90°F) and humidity between 65-90%! This explains why there are drink shops on every corner and why dessert shops selling 豆花 (douhua) and shaved ice are just as common.
Today we’ll guide you through Taiwan’s most popular summer dessert bases and toppings, so next time you visit one of these shops, you can order like a local Taiwanese person.
The Four Main Bases
Douhua (豆花 / 豆花 – dòuhuā) – Tofu Pudding
Douhua is a soft dessert made from silken tofu. While it can be savory, it’s traditionally sweet in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. It’s also a good source of protein and calcium, making it a healthier option (if you go easy on the sugary toppings). The texture is silky and even softer than regular tofu.
Grass Jelly (仙草 / 仙草 – xiāncǎo)
Grass jelly is a soft black jelly made from a kind of mint plant. It’s slightly herbal, not too sweet, and super refreshing! Out of all four bases, grass jelly has the most bouncy texture—similar to jello. It’s perfect for summer: refreshing, light, and gives you something to chew without being as heavy as boba.
In winter, you’ll find a hot version called 烧仙草 / 燒仙草 (shāo xiāncǎo)—a warm, sweet soup with a more liquid texture.
Aiyu (爱玉 / 愛玉 – àiyù) – Taiwan Fig Jelly
Aiyu jelly is unique to Taiwan, made from the seeds of the aiyu fig. To make it, people rub the seeds in cold water, and natural gel forms—no gelatin needed! Aiyu is usually served with lemon juice and honey. The texture is somewhere between douhua and grass jelly—like very soft jello.
Shaved Ice (刨冰 / 刨冰 – bàobīng / 剉冰 / 剉冰 – chhoà-peng)
In Mandarin, it’s 刨冰 / 刨冰 (bàobīng), but locals often use the Taiwanese word 剉冰 / 剉冰 (chhoà-peng). Baobing is finely shaved ice topped with fruits, beans, mochi balls, jelly, and syrups. The ice is so finely shaved it falls into silky ribbons, making the texture much better than regular slush.
Toppings Categories
Beans
- 红豆 / 紅豆 (hóngdòu) – Red beans
- 绿豆 / 綠豆 (lǜdòu) – Mung beans
- 薏仁 / 薏仁 (yìrén) – Job’s tears
- 蜜花豆 / 蜜花豆 (mìhuādòu) – Honey beans
- 花生 / 花生 (huāshēng) – Peanuts
Chewy Balls
- 珍珠 / 珍珠 (zhēnzhū) – Tapioca pearls/boba
- 粉圆 / 粉圓 (fěnyuán) – Tapioca pearls/boba
- 汤圆 / 湯圓 (tāngyuán) – Tangyuan – glutinous rice balls
- 地瓜圆 / 地瓜圓 (dìguāyuán) – Sweet potato balls
- 芋圆 / 芋圓 (yùyuán) – Taro balls
- 粉条 / 粉條 (fěntiáo) – Vermicelli – thin jelly noodles
Jellies & QQ Textures
- 仙草 / 仙草 (xiāncǎo) – Grass jelly
- 爱玉 / 愛玉 (àiyù) – Aiyu
- 椰果 / 椰果 (yēguǒ) – Fermented coconut water jelly
- 蒟蒻 / 蒟蒻 (jǔruò) – Konjac jelly
- 粉粿 / 粉粿 (fěnguǒ/Hoon-kóe) – must be said in Taiwanese!
Soups and Syrups
- 黑糖水 / 黑糖水 (hēitángshuǐ) – Brown sugar syrup
- 牛奶 / 牛奶 (niúnǎi) – Milk
- 豆浆 / 豆漿 (dòujiāng) – Soy milk
- 姜汁 / 薑汁 (jiāngzhī) – Ginger syrup
For shaved ice, brown sugar syrup is the classic choice!
Vocabulary Table
| Simplified | Traditional | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 豆花 | 豆花 | dòuhuā | tofu pudding |
| 仙草 | 仙草 | xiāncǎo | grass jelly |
| 爱玉 | 愛玉 | àiyù | aiyu jelly |
| 刨冰 | 刨冰 | bàobīng | shaved ice |
| 红豆 | 紅豆 | hóngdòu | red beans |
| 绿豆 | 綠豆 | lǜdòu | mung beans |
| 薏仁 | 薏仁 | yìrén | job’s tears |
| 蜜花豆 | 蜜花豆 | mìhuādòu | honey beans |
| 花生 | 花生 | huāshēng | peanuts |
| 珍珠 | 珍珠 | zhēnzhū | tapioca pearls |
| 粉圆 | 粉圓 | fěnyuán | tapioca pearls |
| 汤圆 | 湯圓 | tāngyuán | glutinous rice balls |
| 地瓜圆 | 地瓜圓 | dìguāyuán | sweet potato balls |
| 芋圆 | 芋圓 | yùyuán | taro balls |
| 粉条 | 粉條 | fěntiáo | vermicelli noodles |
| 椰果 | 椰果 | yēguǒ | coconut jelly |
| 蒟蒻 | 蒟蒻 | jǔruò | konjac jelly |
| 粉粿 | 粉粿 | fěnguǒ (Hoon-kóe) | chewy starch jelly |
| 黑糖水 | 黑糖水 | hēitángshuǐ | brown sugar syrup |
| 牛奶 | 牛奶 | niúnǎi | milk |
| 豆浆 | 豆漿 | dòujiāng | soy milk |
| 姜汁 | 薑汁 | jiāngzhī | ginger syrup |
| 烧仙草 | 燒仙草 | shāo xiāncǎo | hot grass jelly soup |
Practice Dialogue
Staff: 你好，请问要点什么？ / 你好，請問要點什麼？
Pinyin: Nǐhǎo, qǐngwèn yào diǎn shénme?
English: Hi! What would you like to order?
You: 我要一份综合黑糖豆花。/ 我要一份綜合黑糖豆花。
Pinyin: Wǒ yào yī fèn zònghé hēitáng dòuhuā.
English: I’ll have the black sugar combo douhua.
Staff: 冰的、热的？/ 冰的、熱的？
Pinyin: Bīng de, rè de?
English: Cold or hot?
You: 冰的。/ 冰的。
Pinyin: Bīng de.
English: Cold.
Staff: 来，选五种料。/ 來，選五種料。
Pinyin: Lái, xuǎn wǔ zhǒng liào.
English: Please choose five toppings.
You: 绿豆、薏仁、汤圆、珍珠、仙草。/ 綠豆、薏仁、湯圓、珍珠、仙草。
Pinyin: Lǜdòu, yìrén, tāngyuán, zhēnzhū, xiāncǎo.
English: Mung beans, job’s tears, tangyuan, pearls, and grass jelly.
Next time you see one of these dessert shops, give it a try! Customize your order and discover your favorite combination of bases and toppings. These refreshing treats are the perfect way to beat Taiwan’s summer heat!