Food Guide: There's a mooncake for everybody

One memorable high school anecdote taught to us was the origin of the mooncake. It was said that during the imperial times, residents in China used the mooncake, with hidden notes in the middle to exchange messages with each other. Whether to plan a rebellion or overthrow the emperor, we can never be sure.

 

The mere fact that this round baked product has survive until the 21st century means that people through the centuries have associate the mooncake more for consumption rather that as a means for communication. 

 

As the centerpiece of the Mooncake or Mid-Autumn festival, celebrated during the 15th day of the eighth month in the Lunar Calendar, this treat is usually offered as gifts to relatives and friends and ideally eaten as a family. This 2014, the Mid-Autumn festival falls during September 8 of the Gregorian Calendar, a day where Chinese and even non-Chinese families around the world gather around the table and enjoy the delicacy that is the mooncake.

 

Yolk and Lotus Seed

 

Considered as the classic and most decadent mooncake by traditional Chinese and purists, the lotus seed filling surrounds the egg yolk and is baked until the crust turns golden brown. The lotus seed has a dense but smooth texture and nutty taste, and is ideal to eat as an after-meal dessert or an afternoon tea snack.

 

Mixed Nuts and Yunnan Ham

 

More popularly known as “Five Kernel” mooncake typically consisting of five types of nuts or seeds, the filling is definitely more coarse and chewy compared to the Lotus Seed mooncake. The Yunnan ham gives saltiness and smokey contrast to the earthiness of the nuts. Although a bit of a stretch, this style of mooncake can substitute a small meal or as a protein alternative. 

 

Compared to the Lotus Seed and the Green Tea below, the Mixed Nuts and Yunnan Ham does not have a yolk in the middle.

 

Green Tea

 

One of the well-loved modern flavors of mooncake, the green tea filling is similar in texture to the Lotus Seed but with a taste that tea lovers can definitely relate to. Among the three that I have tasted, this was my favorite owning to the subtle taste of the green tea paste. It can easily be part of an afternoon tea spread with one slice of mooncake on one hand and a cup of English tea on the other.

 

Aside from the three featured varieties, there are still a wide array of different flavors and combinations of mooncake fillings to choose from. Different establishments can offer familiar ingredients like pandan and sesame seeds to more daring ones like durian and avocado. Whatever filling tickles your fancy, what matters most is that we get to share the treat with friends and family during the mid-autumn festival. — JST, GMA News