The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a significant holiday in Chinese culture celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, which usually falls in September or early October. This festival is a time for family reunions, moon gazing, and enjoying delicious foods. Here are 12 traditional Mid-Autumn Festival foods that are an integral part of this joyous celebration.
1. Mooncakes (月饼)
Mooncakes are the quintessential Mid-Autumn Festival treat. These round pastries symbolize the full moon and come in various flavors, including lotus seed paste, red bean paste, and egg yolk. Mooncakes often feature intricate designs on their crusts and may contain diverse fillings like nuts, fruits, or even savory ingredients.
a. Lotus Seed Paste: The most traditional filling, lotus seed paste provides a sweet and smooth texture that is often combined with salted duck egg yolks for a savory contrast.
b. Red Bean Paste: Another classic choice, red bean paste offers a sweet and slightly grainy filling, often with or without salted egg yolks.
c. Five-Nut: A delightful mix of chopped nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, and sesame seeds, blended with candied fruits and maltose, creates a crunchy, nutty filling.
d. Snow Skin Mooncakes: A modern twist on the classic, snow skin mooncakes have a soft, translucent outer layer made from glutinous rice flour, which encases various sweet and fruity fillings.
2. Tangyuan (汤圆)
Tangyuan, also known as glutinous rice dumplings or sweet rice balls, are served in a sweet, fragrant soup. These chewy, sticky balls are usually stuffed with fillings like sesame paste, red bean paste, or ground peanuts. They represent family unity and completeness.
3. Pomelo (柚子)
Pomelos are large, citrus fruits that are often gifted during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Their sweet and slightly tart flavor is associated with prosperity and good luck. People also enjoy the pomelo’s fragrant aroma and refreshing taste during this season.
4. Duck (鸭)
Roast duck is a popular choice for the Mid-Autumn Festival feast. The crispy skin and tender meat of the duck make it a mouthwatering centerpiece for the dinner table. It’s a symbol of fidelity and happiness in Chinese culture.
5. Osmanthus Jelly (桂花糕)
Osmanthus jelly, made from the fragrant osmanthus flower and a sweet, transparent jelly base, is a favorite dessert during the festival. Its delicate floral aroma and delightful texture make it a cherished treat.
6. Five Kernels (五仁)
Five Kernels, or wuren, is a type of mooncake filling containing five types of nuts and seeds, including walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, melon seeds, and peanuts. This rich and crunchy filling is a hearty favorite.
7. Red Dates (红枣)
Red dates, also known as jujubes, are a symbol of fertility and a healthy family. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, they are often used to make sweet soups, sticky rice cakes, or enjoyed as a snack on their own.
8. Lotus Roots (莲藕)
Lotus roots are often featured in savory dishes during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Their unique appearance, resembling a chain of connected hollow sections, symbolizes the idea of continuous reunion and harmony in the family.
9. Water Chestnuts (马蹄)
Water chestnuts are another popular ingredient in Mid-Autumn Festival dishes. They are often used in stir-fries and symbolize unity and harmony, as their Chinese name, matai, sounds similar to “unity.”
10. Rice Dumplings (粽子)
While rice dumplings, or zongzi, are most closely associated with the Dragon Boat Festival, they are sometimes enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival as well. These pyramid-shaped parcels of glutinous rice are wrapped in bamboo leaves and stuffed with various fillings, such as pork, mushrooms, and chestnuts.
11. Wine (酒)
Drinking wine, particularly osmanthus wine, is a tradition during the Mid-Autumn Festival. The act of raising a glass and toasting to the moon is a symbol of unity and family bonds.
12. Fruits (水果)
A platter of assorted fruits is a common sight on Mid-Autumn Festival tables. Fruits like apples, pears, and grapes are arranged beautifully and represent the abundance of harvest and the importance of family gatherings.
In conclusion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a time for moon-watching and storytelling but also a celebration of culinary delights. These traditional foods not only tantalize the taste buds but also carry deep cultural significance, reinforcing the values of family, unity, and good fortune that are at the heart of this cherished festival. So, when you join in the festivities of the Mid-Autumn Festival, make sure to savor these delicious treats and cherish the time spent with loved ones under the luminous glow of the full moon.
Culture to Know 