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Airplane olives (Gan cao lan)

(Airplane olives, Licorice olives, Fei ji lan, 甘草榄, 飞机榄)

Airplane olive is a traditional snack originating from Hong Kong. Also known as licorice olive, the snack is made from olives coated with licorice and various herbs that have been marinated in salt. The name refers to the fact that street vendors used to throw them to people on their balconies, who would in return throw their money down to the vendors.


The snack was created by a man called Uncle Kei, who was affectionately named Mr Airplane Olive.