Mooncakes, a traditional delicacy during the Mid-Autumn Festival, come in a wide array of flavors and prices. Recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of mini mooncakes, sparking curiosity about their quality and origin. Let’s delve into this intriguing topic and uncover the facts.
1. Unveiling Mini Mooncakes
Mini mooncakes, as the name suggests, are smaller in size and weigh approximately 40g each. Interestingly, the packaging of these mini treats is entirely in Chinese, lacking any supplementary labels in Vietnamese. This absence of information extends to the ingredients and place of manufacture.
These petite pastries come in a spectrum of vibrant colors and flavors, including , , strawberry, , and more. Unlike traditional Vietnamese mooncakes, mini mooncakes are advertised as having a soft and delicate crust, with a mildly sweet filling that isn’t overly saccharine.
The vibrant and flavorful mini mooncakes
The allure of mini mooncakes lies in their convenient portion sizes and diverse flavor options, allowing consumers to indulge in a variety of tastes without monotony.
In wholesale and retail groups for Chinese domestic mooncakes, these mini treats are offered at wholesale prices of around 320,000 VND per 5 kg box, or 99,000 VND per kg (approximately 20-25 cakes). This equates to a mere 4,000 VND per cake, making them an incredibly affordable treat.
However, the extremely low price and ambiguous origin of these mini mooncakes raise concerns among consumers.
Inexpensive mini mooncakes of uncertain origin
2. Proceed with Caution when Purchasing Untraceable Products
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department, cheap mooncakes with untraceable origins are rampant in online markets and social media groups, making it challenging to ensure their quality.
Smuggled goods often bypass inspections for additives, so consumers should be vigilant when placing orders.
Smuggled mini mooncakes may contain unchecked additives
PGS.TS Nguyen Duy Thinh, former lecturer at the Institute of Technology and Food – Hanoi University of Science and Technology, advises consumers to exercise caution when encountering mooncakes with ambiguous labeling.
On July 6, 2022, in Chua Tong hamlet, La Phu commune, Hoai Duc district, Hanoi, the Market Management Team No. 24 of the Hanoi Market Management Bureau seized over 5,000 mooncakes with foreign labels, lacking invoices and origin-related documents.
The Food Safety Authority recommends that consumers only purchase food products with clear origins. When buying mooncakes, it is advisable to opt for established brands and products monitored by authorities.
Consumers should also scrutinize the labels for ingredients, production dates, and expiration dates, refraining from buying mooncakes of uncertain provenance.
Opt for well-known brands with clear origins
Mooncakes are susceptible to spoilage if stored for extended periods or in hot and humid environments. Hence, consumers are advised to inspect the condition of the cakes before purchasing, even if they are within the expiration date.
- For , choose cakes with a moderate gloss and a slight bounce when pressed, indicating freshness and absence of toxins. Avoid overly shiny cakes, which may be stale.
- For , select those with a light coating of powder on the surface, feeling soft but not sticky or mushy when pressed.
Sources: VTC News, VNExpress
This article sheds light on the intricacies of mini mooncakes in the market. We hope it has empowered you with valuable insights. Thank you for reading!
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