Mooncakes
September 21st 2007 09:05
No, this has got absolutely nothing to do with outerspace and the actual moon. Infact, Mooncakes are associated with the Asian Mid Autumn Festival, celebrated by the Chinese (Buddhists) on every 25th September.
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the fullness of the moon to the symbolism of reunion between loved ones, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is commemorated based on that principle. Celebrated during the period of the Autumn Equinox, the moon is said to be at its most beautiful.
Many legends have revolved around this special day, giving it a rich history and character. It is said that during the Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280), the Chinese people were unhappy being under the control of Mongolia , and thus were intent in orchestrating a surprise rebellion. With the Moon Festival approaching, the leaders of the rebellion took hold of this opportunity and ordered the making of special cakes that were going to function as a secret message conveyor. Messages were scribbled onto tiny pieces of paper and hidden within these cakes and then passed onto others, on the pretext of being a season gift. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels succeeded in their mission and overthrew the government. Moon cakes are thus eaten in commemoration of this awe-inspiring event after.
While baked goods are a common feature at most Chinese celebrations, mooncakes are inextricably linked with the Mid Autumn festival. One type of traditional mooncake is filled with a sweet lotus seed paste. Roughly the size of a human palm, they are meant to be cut diagonally in quarters and passed around. However, the salty yolk in the middle, representing the full moon, is an acquired taste.
More elaborate versions of mooncakes contain four egg yolks (representing the four phases of the moon). Besides lotus seed paste, other traditional fillings include red bean paste and black bean paste. It is best washed down with cups of chinese tea.
Variations has been made to the traditional mooncake, with different outer skins - a soft, chewy and colourful skin called the Snow Skin and a jelly outer skin. There are also different fillings - ice cream filling, yoghurt or fruit paste filling and my favourite, the chocolate filling. There are even alcoholic and savoury versions.
Traditional Mooncake
Snow Skin Mooncakes
Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Mooncakes
Jelly Mooncakes
Hello Kitty Chocolate Mooncakes
Photos are taken from Google Search
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the fullness of the moon to the symbolism of reunion between loved ones, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is commemorated based on that principle. Celebrated during the period of the Autumn Equinox, the moon is said to be at its most beautiful.
Many legends have revolved around this special day, giving it a rich history and character. It is said that during the Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280), the Chinese people were unhappy being under the control of Mongolia , and thus were intent in orchestrating a surprise rebellion. With the Moon Festival approaching, the leaders of the rebellion took hold of this opportunity and ordered the making of special cakes that were going to function as a secret message conveyor. Messages were scribbled onto tiny pieces of paper and hidden within these cakes and then passed onto others, on the pretext of being a season gift. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels succeeded in their mission and overthrew the government. Moon cakes are thus eaten in commemoration of this awe-inspiring event after.
While baked goods are a common feature at most Chinese celebrations, mooncakes are inextricably linked with the Mid Autumn festival. One type of traditional mooncake is filled with a sweet lotus seed paste. Roughly the size of a human palm, they are meant to be cut diagonally in quarters and passed around. However, the salty yolk in the middle, representing the full moon, is an acquired taste.
More elaborate versions of mooncakes contain four egg yolks (representing the four phases of the moon). Besides lotus seed paste, other traditional fillings include red bean paste and black bean paste. It is best washed down with cups of chinese tea.
Variations has been made to the traditional mooncake, with different outer skins - a soft, chewy and colourful skin called the Snow Skin and a jelly outer skin. There are also different fillings - ice cream filling, yoghurt or fruit paste filling and my favourite, the chocolate filling. There are even alcoholic and savoury versions.
Traditional Mooncake
Snow Skin Mooncakes
Haagen Dazs Ice Cream Mooncakes
Jelly Mooncakes
Hello Kitty Chocolate Mooncakes
Photos are taken from Google Search
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