Chinese Traditional Dessert - Mooncake for Mid-Autumn Festival 2022 (Part 1/2)

Image: EatswithLuisa

Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 10 September this year 2022 (15th day of the eighth lunar month). This holiday has been celebrated for thousands of years, starting in the 10th century during the Northern Song Dynasty. It is one of the most important festival in Chinese culture and is celebrated in many Asian countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, etc. Every year on this day, the Moon will be at its brightest and fullest size. It is considered an auspicious date for weddings as the moon goddess is believed to extend conjugal bliss to couples.

Prior to this festival, plenty of bakeries, restaurants, as well as hotels are selling these amazing mooncakes at a good discount for those who managed to purchase it early (about one month before the festival).

In Singapore, we can purchase it easily online, retail shops or go to the mooncake fair at Takashimaya where we will be spoiled with plenty of choices.

This year, I made 2 rounds of different purchase for my mooncakes. The 1^st round, I purchase it early online which I enjoyed 25% discount. The 2^nd round, a good friend and I have to brave through the super duper crowded Mooncake Fair at Takashimaya.

🔅 Click here to read Part 2 - Reviews of different mooncakes 

What are Mooncakes?
They are a type of pastry which is made specially for the Mid-Autumn Festival. This dessert is sold only once a year for a period of time. This traditional snack can be savoury or sweet.

Purpose of Mooncakes
In Chinese culture, roundness symbolizes completeness and togetherness. A full moon symbolizes prosperity and reunion for the whole family. Round mooncakes complement the harvest moon in the night sky at the Mid-Autumn Festival. - source: chinahighlights 

To emphasize the roundness and stand for the phases of the moon, sometimes one or more salted duck egg yolks are wedged in. - source: pearlriver

What are Mooncakes made of?
Generally, there are 2 versions for the outer pastry – Baked Skin and Snowskin. Whereas, for the inner filling, Lotus paste will always remain as a classic with a wide variety of modern flavors such as Pandan, Tea, Chocolate, Champagne, etc in today’s time.