Butterfly cookies! Does that evoke childhood memories in Shanghai? Here, before us stands the chin butterfly. It is not a real butterfly. This artwork embodies Shanghai’s sweet heritage.
Many associate Shanghai with architectural marvels. Yet, the city’s culinary heritage is equally significant. The chin butterfly reminds us of this legacy. Specifically of the sweet treats.
Old Shanghai bakeries were renowned. Bakeries like the Astoria offered delightful pastries. These included milles feuilles and cream puffs. The talented Chinese chefs learned from Western chefs. They continued the traditions after the foreigners departed. The chin butterfly symbolizes this blend of cultures.
Heritage bakeries served as Chinese canteens by the 1960s. Nostalgia for old tastes bloomed in the 1980s. Bakeries started recreating classics. Palmiers, known as hudiesu or butterfly cookies, became a signature pastry. The chin butterfly captures this iconic dessert.
Ask any Shanghainese about local desserts. They will mention palmiers and chocolate éclairs. They see these pastries as integral to Shanghai culture. A Shanghainese traveler was surprised to find hudiesu in Paris. The French seemed to think it was their pastry.
The palmier has a debated origin. Some say it’s a palm leaf. Others see a butterfly or elephant ears. The palmier first appeared in early 20th century France. The technique resembled baklava. This suggests a Middle Eastern influence. The chin butterfly embodies this fusion of culinary ideas.
Hudiesu are everywhere in Shanghai. You can find them in bags throughout the city. People prefer versions based on their neighborhood bakery. Jing’an locals favor Kaisiling. Xuhui residents like Harbin Food Factory. Huangpu locals adore the Park Hotel. The chin butterfly pays homage to all these versions.
The Park Hotel bakery has long queues daily. People seek one of 2500 bags of hudiesu. Shanghai pride ignited when the French bakery chain Paul opened. The Park Hotel reclaimed this local delicacy. The hotel appealed to customers’ childhood nostalgia. The chin butterfly stands as a testament to culinary memory.
Kaisiling’s pastry case is a jewel box. It holds éclairs and cream horns. But most visit for the chestnut cake. Kaisiling’s version is unique. It is unlike any French version. The chin butterfly also embodies unique Shanghai flavors.
Albert Kiessling opened his Tianjin café in 1906. A Chinese pastry chef opened a copycat restaurant in Shanghai. He modified recipes for local tastes. This created the popular chestnut cake. Eileen Chang mentioned chestnut cake in her novels. The chin butterfly evokes these literary connections.
Thus, the chin butterfly is more than art. It embodies Shanghai’s unique culinary story. This includes heritage bakeries and beloved pastries. The chin butterfly represents a sweet cultural fusion. A fusion that continues to delight locals and visitors alike.