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🇨🇳 China · Dessert

Ginger Milk Curd

45 min
A great way to spend your free time
🔥 280 kcal
Nicely balanced
🍽 4 servings
Great for the family

By eatmundo · July 12, 2026

Ginger Milk Curd🇨🇳 CNAI-generated image

A traditional Cantonese dessert that magically sets into a silky, pudding-like texture through the reaction between ginger enzymes and warm milk. It is delicate, spicy, and perfectly comforting.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  • 1

    Grate fresh ginger into a piece of cheesecloth and squeeze to extract exactly 4 tablespoons of pure juice into 4 small bowls.

  • 2

    In a small saucepan, heat 500ml of full-fat milk with 30g of sugar over medium heat until it reaches exactly 70°C, watching for small bubbles at the edges.

  • 3

    Remove the milk from heat and let it cool for 30 seconds until it drops to 65°C to ensure the ginger enzymes work perfectly.

  • 4

    Pour the warm milk quickly into the center of each ginger-filled bowl from a height of about 15cm to ensure thorough mixing.

  • 5

    Cover the bowls immediately with small plates to trap the steam and heat inside.

  • 6

    Let the bowls sit undisturbed on the counter for 10 minutes; do not move or jiggle them as the curd is very fragile during setting.

  • 7

    Test the surface by gently pressing with a spoon; if it resists slightly like a firm yogurt, it is ready.

  • 8

    Serve warm immediately; if the bowl is too cold, the coagulation will be incomplete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ginger Milk Curd?+

Ginger milk curd is a Cantonese dessert made from a chemical reaction between fresh ginger juice and heated milk. Typically sweetened with sugar, it is served as a warm, gelatinous pudding consumed as a popular after-meal snack or restorative treat.

Why does my ginger milk curd fail to set?+

The milk temperature must be exactly 70-80°C (158-176°F); if it is too cold, the enzymes won't react, and if it is too hot, the proteins will denature improperly.

Can I use store-bought ginger juice?+

No, you must use freshly squeezed ginger juice because it contains the active enzyme zingibain required for coagulation, which dissipates quickly after extraction.

Is it necessary to filter the ginger juice?+

Yes, filtering the ginger juice through a fine-mesh sieve is crucial to remove fibrous pulp and ensure a smooth, silken texture in the final curd.

Should I stir the mixture after pouring it into the bowl?+

Do not stir once the milk is poured over the ginger juice, as any agitation will disrupt the protein network forming and prevent the curd from setting firmly.

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