Mooncake

What is Mooncake?

A mooncake is a round, thick pastry with a tender or chewy crust and a dense, sweet filling. The most common fillings are lotus seed paste or red bean paste, sometimes with a salted duck egg yolk in the center to represent the full moon. Some versions use mixed nuts or jujube paste. The crust can be chewy, flaky, tender, or crumbly, depending on the region. Traditional mooncakes are decorated with imprints of Chinese characters and symbols for longevity or harmony, and sometimes images of the moon or moon goddess.

Where does Mooncake come from?

Mooncakes come from China and are closely tied to the Mid-Autumn Festival, a major harvest celebration. The festival has roots in moon worship and legends about the moon goddess Chang’e. A well-known folk tale claims that mooncakes were used to hide secret messages during the Ming revolution against the Yuan dynasty. Over time, mooncakes became a symbol of reunion and are now central to the festival, which is also celebrated in many East and Southeast Asian countries.

How is Mooncake made?

The crust of a mooncake is made from flour, oil (often lard or vegetable oil), and sugar. The filling is prepared separately, most commonly from lotus seed paste or red bean paste, sometimes with salted egg yolks or mixed nuts. The dough is wrapped around the filling, pressed into a mold to create decorative patterns, and then baked until golden. Some regional styles use different methods, such as steaming or frying, and may use flaky or crumbly dough.

How and when is Mooncake eaten?

Mooncakes are usually cut into small wedges and shared among family or friends, often with tea. They are eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival, both at home and as gifts exchanged between relatives, friends, and business partners. The sharing of mooncakes is a symbol of togetherness and reunion. Outside of the festival, mooncakes are less commonly eaten.

Kinds of Mooncake

There are many regional varieties. Cantonese mooncakes have a chewy crust and a wide range of fillings, including lotus seed paste, mixed nuts, and salted egg yolks. Suzhou-style mooncakes are smaller, with flaky layers and both sweet and savory fillings. Shanghai-style uses a crumbly, buttery crust. Teochew mooncakes are known for their flaky pastry and yam filling. Modern versions may use chocolate, ice cream, or fruit pastes, and some are made with less sugar or oil.

What Mooncake means

Mooncakes are a central part of the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important Chinese holidays. They are associated with moon watching, family reunions, and the sharing of gifts. The tradition has spread to other Asian countries with Chinese communities. In recent years, elaborate packaging and luxury fillings have become common, and mooncakes are often given as prestigious gifts. The festival is sometimes called the 'Mooncake Festival' because of their importance.

When Mooncake is on the table

Questions people ask about Mooncake

Good reading and sources

• 8 new Hong Kong mooncake flavours for 2016: the best and the restSouth China Morning Post, Article

• Mooncake on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data