[Video/WeChat account: hafbwx]

The tantalizing aroma of peanuts is now permeating through many homes in Hai'an, Nantong as residents scramble to prepare the quintessential snack of peanut candy to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival.

Peanut candy is cut into small pieces. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]

In Hai'an, handmade peanut candy is believed to be the sincerest present one can gift during the Lunar New Year. The sweet snack, which is hugely popular among children, also symbolizes longevity.

To prepare this snack, small peanuts are firstly stir-fried before they are cooked once more with thick syrup that is created by boiling malt sugar, water and lard. The resulting mixture is then flattened and cut into smaller pieces.

A plate of peanut candies. [Photo/WeChat account: hafbwx]