“Squid Game”: A Price to Pay
“Squid Game cookie”, “Dalgona” and “honeycomb challenge” are all phrases that have been trending in the past few weeks. However, most people do not know how this candy is made and the story behind it.
Dalgona originated after the Korean War when people attempted to recreate candy from the U.S. army for children. However, it did not gain popularity until the late 1970s and 1980s, when it was sold by street vendors outside of elementary schools and toy stores. To produce the confection, candy makers melted sugar and added a pinch of baking soda. The mixture was poured, cooled and then stamped with symbols such as stars, squares, circles or triangles. In a game called ppopgi, children tried to carve the shape engraved into the dalgona without cracking or breaking the design. This forgotten game has been revived by Netflix’s hit show “Squid Game”, as the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, drew inspiration from his childhood to incorporate ppopgi into the script. In the series, those in debt are given a chance to earn a large cash prize, putting their lives at stake in the process. In episode three, contestants played ppopgi in order to survive, which sparked feelings of nostalgia in many Korean viewers and interest in the American audience. As a result, dalgona went viral on social media, with many people attempting to make it at home. To make it at home, use the following recipe.
Dalgona Recipe (makes one cookie)
You will need:
- Small non-stick pan
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Metal spoon or chopstick
- Cookie cutter of your choice
- Sugar (2 tablespoons)
- Baking soda (1/8 teaspoon)
- Place parchment paper on baking sheet.
- Pour the sugar into the pan and put on medium heat until edges are melted.
- Stir vigorously with chopstick until all clumps are removed and it is a pale golden color.
4. Turn off the heat and add baking soda. The mixture should froth up and increase in volume.
5. Immediately pour mixture on parchment paper. Flatten it with the pan and then stamp with your cookie cutter.
6. Let the cookie cool completely before removing
