A Lesson in Mooncakes… Kinda Like Tamales?

Enjoying Delicious Chinese Treats

From left to right: Wei, me, Hao, Erik and Brandon 

My friend Brandon recently returned from Singapore with several kinds of mooncakes to share. I was really fascinated by the different flavors and textures. My two favorites were the snow skin and the pineapple ones. The snow skin ones were cold and tasked like mochi – soft, chewy and milky – so delicious, almost like ice cream. The pineapple mooncakes reminded me of Taiwanese pineapple tarts, which I also like very much.

I was curious to learn a little more about mooncakes after eating them and according to Wikipedia, they are traditionally shared during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is the second grandest festival in China after Chinese New Year. It has three main functions: First, gathering of friends and family – it is believed that the moon is brightest and roundest during this time, which symbolizes family unity. Secondly, thanksgiving – to give thanks for the harvest and harmonious unions. Third, prayer – the asking of conceptual or material satisfaction such as a spouse, babies, beauty, longevity, and good fortune.

The sharing of mooncakes seems similar to the sharing of tamales in Mexican culture in December, during the holidays. And now I’m craving tamales… Mmmm… Time to call Mami!