Moon cake
Moon cake is a traditional Chinese pastry that is typically consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The festival is for lunar appreciation and moon watching, and moon cakes are regarded as an indispensable delicacy. They are offered between friends or on family gatherings while celebrating the festival.
History[edit | edit source]
The history of the moon cake dates back to the Tang Dynasty, where it was first used as a tribute to the moon. The tradition of eating moon cakes during the festival began in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), a custom that has been carried on to the present day.
Ingredients and Preparation[edit | edit source]
Moon cakes are made from a variety of ingredients. The traditional moon cake consists of a thin, tender pastry skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling. The filling can be made from lotus seed paste, sweet bean paste, or a variety of other ingredients. Some moon cakes may also contain one or more whole salted egg yolks in their center to symbolize the full moon.
The process of making moon cakes requires careful preparation. The dough is made from a mixture of flour, golden syrup, lye water, and vegetable oil, which gives the moon cake its rich taste and shiny appearance. The filling is prepared separately, and then the two are combined and shaped using a special mold before being baked.
Varieties[edit | edit source]
There are many regional varieties of moon cakes. The most well-known ones come from Beijing, Suzhou, and Guangdong. Beijing moon cakes are known for their delicate, flaky pastry, while Suzhou moon cakes have a crisp, layered crust. Guangdong moon cakes, also known as Cantonese moon cakes, are the most popular variety, with a tender, chewy crust and a wide range of fillings.
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
Moon cakes are not just a food, but a profound cultural tradition. They are a symbol of reunion and happiness, and they embody the spiritual and cultural values of the Chinese people. The round shape of the moon cake represents the completeness and unity of families.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD