Qingtuan

Qingtuan

Qingtuan, also known as Green Rice Balls, is a traditional Chinese food that is commonly consumed during the Qingming Festival. It is made from glutinous rice mixed with Chinese mugwort or barley grass, giving it a distinctive green color.

History

The history of Qingtuan dates back to the Zhou Dynasty, where it was a popular food during the Cold Food Festival. It later became associated with the Qingming Festival, a time when Chinese people honor their ancestors by sweeping their graves.

Ingredients

The main ingredients of Qingtuan are glutinous rice and Chinese mugwort or barley grass. The rice is soaked and ground into a paste, while the mugwort or barley grass is juiced. The two are then mixed together to form a dough. The filling typically consists of sweetened red bean paste, but other fillings like black sesame or jujube paste can also be used.

Preparation

To prepare Qingtuan, the dough is first divided into small portions. A portion of the filling is then wrapped in the dough, forming a small ball. The balls are then steamed until they are cooked through.

Cultural Significance

Qingtuan has a significant cultural meaning in China. It is traditionally eaten during the Qingming Festival, symbolizing the renewal of life in spring. The green color of the Qingtuan represents the greenery of spring, while the sweet filling symbolizes the sweetness of life.

Variations

There are several regional variations of Qingtuan. In the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, Qingtuan is often filled with sweetened red bean paste. In Shanghai, a version with a salty pork filling is also popular.

See Also

• Qingming Festival
• Chinese Cuisine
• Glutinous Rice
• Chinese Mugwort
• Barley Grass

References

• Qingtuan: A Tasty Tradition of Qingming Festival. China Daily. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
• The History and Culture of Qingtuan. China Culture. Retrieved from http://www.chinaculture.org/
• Traditional Chinese Food: Qingtuan. China Highlights. Retrieved from http://www.chinahighlights.com/