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Dragon’s Beard Candy: A Math-Based Art

December 14, 2023
“Dragon Beard Candy” Image Credit: A Canadian Foodie

Dragon’s Beard Candy, also known as “Chinese Cotton Candy,” is a prime example of the masterful blending of culinary creativity and traditional culture. This delicate confection, which has its origins in ancient Asian traditions, has enthralled generations with its elaborate preparation and distinctive texture, which is reminiscent of fine silk threads. In this essay, we will explore the origins, preparation, and cultural significance of Dragon’s Beard Candy, shedding light on the science and craftsmanship behind this time-honored treat.

Dragon’s Beard Candy has a rich history dating back to ancient China, where it was once considered a delicacy reserved for royalty. The candy’s creation takes on a mythical charm due to its association with dragons, which are highly revered in Chinese mythology. Dragon’s Beard Candy is a popular treat at weddings, festivals, and other special occasions. It has evolved over the centuries into a symbol of joy and celebration.

The fundamental ingredients for Dragon’s Beard Candy are simple yet essential: sugar syrup and starch. First, a viscous syrup is made by heating sugar and water together. The critical step lies in the meticulous pulling, twisting, and folding of the sugar strands. This intricate dance transforms the once-solidified syrup into countless fine threads, resembling the beard of a dragon. There are two benefits to adding cornstarch or potato starch. First of all, it keeps the delicate strands from adhering to one another, preserving the candy’s unique texture. Second, the starch enhances the entire sensory experience by subtly counterbalancing the sweetness.

There is an intriguing interaction between physics and chemistry in the making of Dragon’s Beard Candy. The process of pulling sugar is similar to an alchemical cooking technique in which heat and constant stretching turns sugar syrup into an intricate web of tiny threads. In addition to adding layers and air to the candy, twisting and folding gives it a fluffy, dreamy texture. The structural integrity of the candy is enhanced by the starch coating. Starch is essential for preserving the uniqueness of each sugar strand by preventing them from combining or collapsing thanks to the processes of encapsulation and absorption.

Crafting Dragon’s Beard Candy requires a delicate touch and a keen understanding of the candy’s behavior under various conditions. Skilled confectioners become experts at pulling sugar, measuring syrup consistency, and striking the ideal ratio of elasticity to fragility. With meticulous execution of every twist and fold, the confection is not only aesthetically magnificent but also a demonstration of the artist’s talent.

“The Golden Ratio” Image Credit: Getty Images Plus

The manual way of stretching the candy is by hooking and folding it over itself, which involves a multiplication factor of 2 (doubling in length). Nowadays, the modern candy-pulling machine implements a stretch factor related to the Golden Ratio,(1/2 + sqrt(5)/2 approximately 1.618), which is based on the number of rods/hooking with in the machine. The Greek letter phi (φ), which represents the mathematical constant known as the golden ratio, has historically been used to symbolize harmony and proportion in art. Within the culinary arts, Dragon’s Beard Candy presents an interesting pairing for the golden ratio as  delicate dance of precision and ratios goes into the painstaking preparation of this old confection. The intricate texture of the candy is achieved by pulling, twisting, and folding the sugar strands, which demonstrates a meticulous attention to proportions and is reminiscent of the influence of the golden ratio in both art and nature. The golden ratio is subtly acknowledged as one savors the dreamy sweetness of Dragon’s Beard Candy, linking the culinary experience to the timeless appeal of mathematical beauty. 

Dragon’s Beard Candy is more than just candies; it is a culinary masterwork and a cultural asset. Its preparation, which has its roots in antiquated customs, accentuates the tasteful fusion of science and artistry. Savoring the threads of this delicious treat allows us to participate in a timeless tradition that weaves us into the rich fabric of cultural celebration and culinary history. Dragon’s Beard Candy encourages us to recognize the beauty in the craft of people who, akin to contemporary alchemists, turn ordinary ingredients into sensory-pleasing wonders.

Sources: 

Cyeeahn. “Dragon’s Beard Candy.” Red Thread Kitchen, 29 Jan. 2021, www.red-thread-kitchen.com/post/dragon-s-beard-candy.

“Dragon’s Beard Candy – Alchetron, the Free Social Encyclopedia.” Alchetron.Com, 7 Sept. 2022, alchetron.com/Dragon%27s-beard-candy.

Ellenberg, Jordan. “The Number That Becomes More Amazing the More You Study It.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 8 June 2021, slate.com/technology/2021/06/golden-ratio-phi-irrational-number-ellenberg-shape.html.

Lugonja, Valerie. “Dragon Beard Candy.” A Canadian Foodie, 5 May 2015, www.acanadianfoodie.com/2015/05/05/dragon-beard-candy/. 

Magazine, Smithsonian. “Using Math to Build the Ultimate Taffy Machine.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 21 Oct. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/using-math-build-ultimate-taffy-machine-180960849/.

The Mathematics of Ta y Pulling – University of Wisconsin, people.math.wisc.edu/~thiffeault/talks/ddays2018.pdf. Accessed 14 Dec. 2023. 

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  Timothy Durham was convicted of rape when a test showed his DNA genotype matched the DNA recovered from the crime scene. Eye witnesses testified that Durham was in a different state at the time of the incident, but he wasn’t exonerated from his 3000 year sentence until follow up DNA analysis showed that the preliminary forensic analysis used in the trial was misinterpreted (Thomas et al.). DNA testing serves an invaluable part in our criminal justice system, but it comes with complications and bias that can lead to wrongful convictions and misinformed juries.  

Background:

Forensic genetics aims to identify the origin of a biological sample. It can be traced back to Karl Landsteiner who discovered human ABO blood groups. With blood groups, suspects could be eliminated based on their blood type. For example, if a suspect had type A blood and there was type B blood left at the scene by the perpetrator, the investigators could rule out the suspect. Unfortunately, the reverse didn’t work. If the suspect and perpetrator both had the same blood type, it can’t be concluded that the suspect was guilty. Blood identifiers evolved into 8 distinct categories which improved the ability to eliminate suspects, but could only conclude that (if the system matched) it might be the perpetrator or this person might be related to the perpetrator (Jobling and Gill). The field evolved in the 1980s with the discovery of Minisatellites, lines of repetitive DNA that don’t encode proteins. Minisatellite patterns in DNA create what we know today as the DNA fingerprint, and it has a much higher accuracy rate than previous methods (Augustyn et al.). Around the same time, a breakthrough for victims of sexual assault was discovered. In the case of assault, bodily fluids of both the victim and the assaulter can get mixed. A process called differential lysis was created which could selectively increase the concentration of sperm in a fluid sample thereby allowing for accurate DNA testing (Jobling and Gill). Forensics evolved to use single-locus probe testing after several years because of its ease of interpretation. It looked at specific minisatellites that had high variability between subjects. This was the first DNA-based method to be used in a criminal investigation. Two murder homicides from several years apart were connected using DNA evidence. The evidence was then used to exonerate an innocent man, and the guilty party was found when he tried to evade mandatory DNA testing for all men in the small town. His guilt was then reinforced when the DNA profiles matched, and he gave a confession (Jobling and Gill). Finding DNA at a crime scene doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find a murderer. There are issues with non-pure samples and limited samples that make DNA work difficult, and accreditation of facilities and new techniques and take time (Jobling and Gill).  

Subjectivity of DNA Interpretation:

In a 2009 publication, the National Academy of Science discusses the possibility for subjective influence in lab based forensics. The interpretation bias happens in complex cases where, for example, there could be a mixture of DNA. A study published in 2011 looked specifically at this issue. A gang rape happened in Georgia, and the mixture in DNA from the case was used to prosecute one suspect after another suspect took a plea bargain to testify against him. With DNA mixtures, there are three possible conclusions: suspect excluded, suspect cannot be excluded, and inconclusive. If the suspect is excluded, it means that there’s little to no possibility that his DNA is part of the sample. If the suspect cannot be excluded, it means that there’s a possibility that his DNA is part of the sample. In the trial, the DNA examiners who knew the context of the case concluded that the suspect being prosecuted could not be excluded. The 2011 study gave the DNA evidence from this case and the DNA profiles of the suspects to 17 forensic examiners. These examiners had no context of the case, and they all worked independently. Of the 17, only 1 came to the same conclusion (suspect cannot be excluded) as the examiners who knew the context of the case. Twelve of the 17 concluded that the suspect who was prosecuted and convicted had no relation to the DNA found in the sample. Not only does this show that subjectivity occurs due to the context of the case, but the 17 examiners came up with different findings based on their past experiences meaning that not all DNA analysis is objective. Some organizations like the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods say that quantitative statistical evidence should be presented with every categorical conclusion, but the US doesn’t require this (Dror and Hampikian).

False Positives:

There are two categories that cause wrongful identification in a DNA report: coincidental matches and false positives. Coincidental matches are DNA matches between two unrelated people. The probability of these matches is about 1 to 500,000 for white individuals and about 1 to 350,000 for black individuals. This small probability of coincidental matches makes people feel confident in DNA evidence. False positives, on the other hand, are matches between DNA and test DNA that result from issues in the forensics lab. There have been multiple cases of forensics labs accidentally switching victim and suspected rapist DNA which lead to convictions that were later overturned when the lab realized the error. There are also cases of misreading or misunderstanding a sample. In a case from 1993, a man was convicted of rape because someone interpreted a mixed sample of victim and perpetrator DNA as an individual sample. The conviction was again overturned. To prevent false convictions, retesting DNA is allowed, but it’s not an efficient solution. Many people are pushing for statistical information on the probability of false positives, so that the jurors can make accurate judgements based on DNA evidence (Thomas et al.).  

Conclusion:

DNA analysis is a useful tool for the criminal justice system, but subjectivity can be an issue in forensic testing. To combat wrongful convictions, there are organizations like The Innocence Project who use DNA testing to free the innocent, but reformed forensic testing standards should be put in place to prevent subjectivity and to ensure juries are correctly informed during trials. https://www.innocenceproject.org/    

Citation:

Augustyn , Adam, et al. “DNA Finerprinting.” Encyclopedia Britannica , 26 Apr. 2018, www.britannica.com/science/DNA-fingerprinting#ref153186. Dror, Itiel E., and Greg Hampikian. “Subjectivity and Bias in Forensic DNA Mixture Interpretation.” Science & Justice, vol. 51, no. 4, 2011, pp. 204–208., doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2011.08.004. Jobling, Mark A., and Peter Gill. “Encoded Evidence: DNA in Forensic Analysis.” Nature Reviews: Genetics, vol. 5, no. 10, Oct. 2004, pp. 739–751., doi:10.1038/nrg1455. Thompson, William C, et al. “How the Probability of a False Positive Affects the Value of DNA Evidence.” Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 48, no. 1, Jan. 2003, pp. 1–8., doi:10.1520/jfs2001171.