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Discovering the Origins and Significance of Mid-Autumn Festival Cakes

Do you know the story and symbolism behind the Mid-Autumn Festival cakes that are a part of the traditional celebration of the full moon each year, in the eighth lunar month?

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1 October, 2023

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During the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, the timeless tradition of indulging in lanterns and delectable, enticing mooncakes persists. These delectable cakes, available in a wide assortment of flavors, possess a remarkable ability to captivate individuals. Discover the rich historical origins and profound symbolism associated with this iconic treat without delay.

Exploring the History of Mooncakes

Symbolic Tradition of Mooncakes From China: A Look Back Through History

Mooncakes have a rich history originating in China and later gaining popularity in Vietnam. According to an ancient Chinese legend, these round cakes played a significant role during the peasant uprising in the late Yuan dynasty. During this time, Chu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen used mooncakes as a means of secretive communication. The cakes would contain a piece of paper with the planned uprising time, coinciding with the fullest moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. This tradition has endured, making mooncakes a cherished treat with deep cultural significance.

Mooncakes originated from China and later spread widely to VietnamAfterwards, these cakes were distributed by people everywhere and became a safe and effective means of communication. It was also from the cakes that news of the uprising spread quickly everywhere. From then on, the Chinese made mooncakes on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month to commemorate that event.

Uncovering the History of Mooncakes in Vietnam

Once upon a time, there was a celestial being named Hang Nga who graced the skies with her exquisite beauty and ruled over the moon. Her heart overflowed with love for children, and she longed to descend to the mortal realm to frolic with them. However, such desires were forbidden by strict regulations.

One day, Ngoc Hoang organized a “Making mooncakes” contest on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month with the fullest moon, and whoever made the most delicious and beautiful mooncakes would be rewarded.This made Hang Nga very excited and she immediately joined the contest. When she came down to the mortal world to get some inspiration, she met Cuoi – a witty guy who often gathered many children in the village every evening to tell stories.The legend of mooncakes in VietnamAside from being witty, Cuoi was also skilled in cooking and making cakes for children, so he was loved by children. Seeing that, Hang Nga asked Cuoi to make a special kind of cake with her. Cuoi came up with the idea of making baked cakes with various ingredients such as eggs, sesame seeds, meat, sausage, lotus seeds, etc.Finally, when the cakes were fragrant and cooked, all the children praised them for being delicious. When it was time to return to heaven, Hang Nga brought the cakes with her to enter the contest, bidding farewell to the talented and kind Cuoi.The legend of mooncakes in VietnamBut because Cuoi did not want to be separated from Hang Nga, he held her hand tightly and something unexpected happened, which was that he was pulled up to the moon palace. Meanwhile, Hang Nga also won the contest with a cake that had not been named yet, which was later called mooncake by Ngoc Hoang and granted Hang Nga a wish as promised.She wished that every 15th day of the 8th lunar month she could come down to the mortal world to play and have fun with the children. The wish was granted, and since then Ngoc Hoang also named the 15th day of the 8th lunar month “Mid-Autumn Festival”.

Understanding the Significance of Mooncakes to Chinese Culture

Mooncakes have been introduced to Vietnam but have now become widely embraced by the Vietnamese people due to their significant humanistic values.

In Vietnam, the most popular traditional mooncakes are sticky rice cakes and baked cakes. Each type of mooncake has a different meaning as follows:

Types of Meaning in Cakes

The cake has a round moon shape, symbolizing togetherness. It is adorned in white, which represents the close love between spouses.
With our loved ones by our side, they will always be there to support us through any difficulties. The combination of salty and sweet fillings symbolizes the warmth and sweetness of our family.

Meaning according to cake types

Interpreting the Symbolism of Mooncake Shapes

Round mooncakes represent the shape of the full moon on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, symbolizing the concept of wholeness and the importance of reunion.
The square mooncakes symbolize the celestial and terrestrial aspects of our world, embodying the liberty and joy that humanity experiences.

Mooncakes continue to be available in a wide range of shapes and fillings to cater to the diverse preferences of customers. However, their significance and worth remain unaltered.

Meaning according to the shape

Explore These 3 Delicious Mooncakes for This Mid-Autumn Festival

With a multitude of talented chefs and bakers pushing the boundaries of their creativity, the market is now flooded with an array of mooncake options. Among the many delectable varieties available are traditional mooncakes, green bean mooncakes, lotus seed mooncakes, green tea mooncakes, sticky rice mooncakes, and tiramisu mooncakes.

Reference: A popular trend in today’s world.

Types of mooncakes

How to Create Delicious Mooncakes

The process of making mooncakes can vary greatly, depending on individual preferences and abilities. Each person has their own unique way of creating delicious and visually appealing cakes with their preferred filling and crust.

Reference: ? Detailed, simple at home

A step-by-step guide on how to make mooncakes

Inquiring about Mooncakes in Hong Kong: 5 Questions Answered

What is the Shelf Life of Mooncakes?

Homemade mooncakes should be consumed within a recommended timeframe depending on the type of mooncake. For sticky rice cakes, it is advised to consume them within 4 days, while baked cakes can last for up to 7 days.

On the other hand, branded mooncakes can be preserved for up to 3 months thanks to the use of permitted preservatives.If you unwrap the cakes, they should be consumed within 1 day to prevent bacteria from causing food poisoning.Reference: ? How to preserve mooncakes

How long can mooncakes be kept?

What is the Calorie Count of Mooncakes?

The average calorie content of 100g of mooncake is approximately 143.2 calories. However, it is important to note that the calorie count may vary based on factors such as the filling, crust, and weight.

Assorted Sticky Rice Mooncake: Weighing approximately 170g, this mooncake is a delicious treat that contains a total of 566 calories.
The Green bean and lotus seed sticky rice mooncake weighs approximately 200g and contains 455 calories.
Baked Mooncake with Green Bean Filling

This delicious baked mooncake with green bean filling weighs 176g and provides a total of 648 calories.
Assorted Baked Mooncake with a weight of 200g has a total of 824 calories.

Reference: Will eating too much make you fat?

How many calories do mooncakes have?

Where to Find Affordable and Authentic Mooncakes Online

In today’s times, acquiring mooncakes for personal enjoyment or gifting purposes has become quite convenient, particularly with the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.

You can order genuine and fast with many famous brands such as: , ,…

Where to Buy Authentic and Good-Priced Mooncakes Online

There is nothing quite as delightful as gathering with loved ones, gazing at the moon, indulging in a delectable spread, and pondering the deep significance behind it all. We trust that this article has shed some light on the fascinating history and symbolism surrounding the mooncake.