Recipe: Aiyu Jelly Fruit Cup

A plant-based modern Asian jelly dessert

Light, cool, refreshing, tart. Not too sweet.

Chef Wendy Zeng and I made this for guests at Sonoma Hills Farm during our recent road trip. This flavor exploration burst forth from the imaginary world of Lost Farm, who generously sponsored our meal and shared samples of their new Live Rosin edibles. We wondered, as an homage to the brand, what would the exotic flavors of Mogu Magu taste like?

In a large bowl, we layered in scoops of aiyu jelly, slices of dragonfruit, sliced dark cherries, nectarine slivers, tiny c*nn*bis leaves, and drizzled ice cold melon juice and passion fruit syrup on top. 

Aiyu is a plant-based jelly made from the seeds of the Taiwanese jelly fig. It has a subtle tropical lemon flavor and is sold at night markets in Taiwan during hot summer months. Traditionally served cold with lemon honey syrup or on top of shaved ice. Containers of ready-made Aiyu jelly can be found in the refrigerated section and purchased at local Asian grocery stores, like 99 Ranch. 

Just when we thought something so delicious and refreshing couldn’t get any better, a tub of Pink Jesus ice cream appears and a delectable new dessert was born.

COME JOIN US

At the Hall of Flowers Marketplace & Festival on Saturday, September 21 in Santa Rosa, California | Get tickets. 50% off code SHF

Chef Wendy and I will be there doing a Spicy Sichuan Garlic Noodle culinary demonstration around 3:30 p.m. Come get some spicy noods!

At the Taste of Sonoma Culinary Experience presented by Sonoma Hills Farm. | Book a Fried Chicken Family Meal with Chef Telmo

FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS

Make a Jelly Float

A single scoop of Pink Jesus ice cream went into each person’s aiyu jelly fruit cup. Melty ice cream oozed slowly down into the smooth jelly folds. This creamy raspberry rose ice cream with ribbons of lavender caramel is made by SF’s famed Humphry Slocombe in collaboration with Sonoma Hills. 

At first bite, the textures and flavors sing like the voice of angels. Imagine a jelly drink meets ice cream float. Like a shaved snow without the ice. Each bite has silky smooth jelly, a gentle tartness and contrasting textures, and a cold creamy hug that melts into your mouth, leaving you wanting more.