忙陇聥?/span> Chinese Snack Lab

Soup Dumpling (XLB) Gelatin Ratio

Aspic-to-filling ratio for xiaolongbao that burst with real soup 茅聢楼?not dry dumplings pretending to be soup dumplings.

'@ js=@' const ASP = { skin: { stockPerFill:0.7, gel:0.06, note:'Classic Nanxiang style. Long simmer (4h) extracts the most collagen.' }, bone: { stockPerFill:0.9, gel:0.04, note:'Richer flavor, slightly less gel strength. Restaurant workhorse.' }, chicken:{ stockPerFill:0.5, gel:0.08, note:'Lighter color, more delicate set. Often blended with pork skin.' }, powder: { stockPerFill:0.6, gel:0.025,note:'1 tbsp unflavored gelatin per 250 ml stock. Reliable, no pigs feet.' } }; function render(){ const f = +fill.value; const a = ASP[asp.value]; const soup = +soup.value; const wsz = +wsz.value; const aspicG = Math.round(f * a.gel); const stockMl = Math.round(f * a.stockPerFill); const scale = (wsz*wsz) / 81; const soupActual = Math.round(soup * scale * 10) / 10; toolOut.innerHTML = `
Aspic weight (set)
${aspicG} g
Chilled, cubed into 5 mm pieces.
Stock to make first
${stockMl} ml
${a.note}
Soup per dumpling
${soupActual} ml
At ${wsz} cm skin.

Method. Simmer stock 茅聢芦?cool 茅聢芦?chill until fully set (4 h minimum, overnight is better) 茅聢芦?cube into 5 mm pieces 茅聢芦?fold into seasoned pork filling just before pleating.

Why cubes, not melted aspic? Because cubes stay solid during pleating. Melted aspic leaks out of an unsealed fold and the dumpling ends up dry.

Steam time: 8 minutes over rapidly boiling water, on parchment circles or carrot slices to prevent sticking.

Warning. A "soup dumpling" with no visible broth when you bite in was made with too little aspic or steam that was too gentle. Use this tool.

`; } const fill=document.getElementById('fill'), asp=document.getElementById('asp'), soup=document.getElementById('soup'), wsz=document.getElementById('wsz'), toolOut=document.getElementById('tool-out'); document.getElementById('go').onclick=render; [fill,asp,soup,wsz].forEach(el=>el.oninput=render); render();
Advertisement slot 茅聢楼?clearly labelled, never disguised as content.

How to use this tool

Enter the weight of your seasoned pork filling. Pick your aspic source (real pork skin is best, gelatin powder is acceptable). The card tells you how much aspic to cube and how much soup each dumpling will produce.

What this solves 茅聢楼?and what it doesn't

Soup dumplings fail when the aspic ratio is wrong 茅聢楼?too little and you bite into a meatball; too much and the wrapper cracks open during steaming. Most recipes give you a vague "add gelatin" line. This gives you a gram weight that actually works.

Who this is for

Home cooks attempting xiaolongbao for the first time. Restaurant cooks dialing in a recipe. Anyone tired of dry "soup dumplings" that do not actually contain soup.

How to read the result

Aspic is set stock, chopped into cubes and folded into the cold filling. During steaming the cubes melt and become the soup. The cube size matters: 5 mm melts in 8 minutes; 10 mm may not melt through.

Honest limitations

Wrapper skill is not solved by ratio. If you cannot pleat 12+ folds without leaks, no aspic amount will help. Collagen strength depends on simmer time and acid (vinegar breaks collagen).

Common questions

Can I use store-bought broth? Most store-bought broth has 0% gelatin and will not set. Use bones-and-water stock, simmered at least 4 hours.

Can I freeze uncooked XLB? Yes but steam from frozen, never thaw first. Add 2 min steam time.

Why is my aspic rubbery? Too much gelatin. Halve the powder next batch.

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