can4 pei4陳皮陈皮
Jyutpingcan4 pei4
Yalechàhn pèih
Definition
Dried tangerine peel aged and used as a Chinese herb.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Aged peel is highly prized in Cantonese cooking and traditional medicine, with the value increasing significantly based on the number of years it has been stored. It is a staple ingredient in Cantonese home-style soups and desserts like red bean soup. The quality is often judged by the darkness of the color and the intensity of the aroma.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
This dried tangerine peel is very fragrant, it's perfect for steaming fish.
How much dried tangerine peel did you buy to make soup?
Related words
Common phrases
red bean soup with dried tangerine peel
steamed beef with dried tangerine peel
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with fresh orange or tangerine peel, which is called 柑皮 or 桔皮. Using fresh peel in a recipe that calls for 陳皮 will result in a bitter taste rather than the deep, mellow fragrance expected.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
