CNY is a special time for people throughout the world most commonly known as children and adult to be happy and full of celebration. This festival represents tradition in china and every family reunite to express their love, warmth and happiness shared with different types of foods. CNY goodies are enjoyable by all ages, reflecting the sprit of oneness, prosperity, and longevity.
Most of the traditional Chinese New Year foods people take are actually identified with special symbolic meanings which are associated with luck, prosperity, and fortune. In this article, we take a look at the various goods particularly the CNY goodies that fascinate children and adults and therefore are considered to be part and parcel of the festivities.
1. Nian Gao (年糕)
Nian Gao, the sticky rice cake is another delicacy that cannot miss on the Chinese New Year celebrations list. This traditional dish primarily consists of glutinous rice flour, and sugar with some addition of water as the three ingredients are boiled and stirred until they form sticky and chewy paste like substances. Nian Gao has many different symbolic connotations including the gaining of height, an increase in financial capital, and therefore is preferred by all ages.
The Chinese pronunciation of the word year, 年糕 is similar to the phrase 年高, which means ‘higher year’ suggesting a better year ahead. Both children enjoy it for taste while adults enjoy it especially when it is associated with certain events or celebrations.
2. Ang Ku Kueh (红龟粿)
Ang Ku Kueh, a mild and succulent Teochew pastry, envelops a steamed rice flour cake and is perfumed with the aroma of the palm leaf. This snack is reddish-brown in color which is lucky for the Chinese because the Chinese word for red is similar to the word for good fortune. Ang Ku Kueh has a soft and fine center that typically comes in sweet mung bean or red bean paste while it has a delicate skin that is made of rice flour.
Kids love the soft skin of Ang Ku Kueh while adult love the tradition and the blessed that comes with it. This treat is perfect during parties and other special events to which people of all ages look forward to.
3. Pineapple Tarts (凤梨酥)
The Pineapple Tart is a famous Chinese New Year snack which actually comes from Penang of Malaysia. These pretty pastries consist of buttery, crisp layers of pastry, and contain a tender pineapple filling that is somewhat sweet, with tiny hints of sharpness like that of fresh pineapples. Pineapple Tarts are loved by young and old because of their great taste couple with their aesthetics appeal.
Making pineapple is one of the finest family heirlooms which have been continued from generation to generation. Children will find great fun in creating and designing the tarts, and adults feel the joy in relishing the flavor and the fragrance of these cute Christmas pastries.
4. Love Letters (花卷)
Love Letters or “Flower Rolls” are one of the favourites among elderlies in Singapore and Malaysia today. These tender and crunchy Cookies are made by using flour, sugar, and margarine, which are also molded into thin irregular strips, curled like a spiral and would approximate to the Chinese symbol of ‘‘Ai’’(爱).
Contrary to their appearance, Love Letters are delicious to young and elderly people, and has a crispy texture and sweet taste. Adding to this, the name of the show as Love Letters also has the aspect of love in it as people appreciate Royalty, togetherness during the festive time.
5. Peanut Cookies (花生饼)
Peanut Cookies are one of the delight that Children as well as adults look forward to through out their Chinese New Year celebration. These are peanut-based cookies formed by ground peanuts combined with sugar and flour and they have a hard crust and moist center. The Chinese also love peanuts because of the Chinese characters ‘sheng’ and ‘ding’ that can be derived from the word ‘peanuts’ meaning ‘wish’, ‘happy’, ‘longevity’ and ‘wealth’.
Peanut Cookies are favorites for children due to the enjoyable crackling feeling in their mouth and they are also convenient to eat with tea or even a snack during busy working period. Peanut cookies are absolutely delectable & simple, which placed it in every Chinese New Year tiffin and goodie basket.
6. Leong Zai Bing (糖仔饼)
Leong Zai Bing is traditional snack of Taiwan; ingredients for the snack includes glutinous rice flour, sweet potato and brown sugar. These very moist and soft cakes are cooked on a pan until crisp golden brown on the outside and inside have a sweet and nutty taste.
The texture that Children seem to love is Leong Zai Bing for the skin while the adults endorse the product for its richest, earthy taste that resembles the more of Chinese New Year’s taste. Leong Zai Bing can be consumed and celebrated during the festive period and preferred by families or friends.
7. Red Bean Paste Mooncakes (红豆酱月饼)
Mooncakes specifically the Red Bean Paste Mooncakes are compulsory foods for Chinese New Year. It is a sweet pastry that is stuffed with red bean paste and covered with a crisp, attractive brown layer. Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year are the two occasions on which mooncakes are seen most often, even though they are available at any time of the year.
The young ones love the soft and sugary Red Bean Paste Mooncakes while the older people enjoy the complex taste and the nostalgia associated with a pack of Mooncakes. Similar to New Year gifts, mooncakes are given in pairs or sets between friends, family and business counterparts as a reminder of the blessings received for the year .
Being lucky TCP, Chinese New Year goodies symbolized also the happiness and bond that go in between the relatives and friends during this auspicious occasions. These treats are friendly for children and the adult generation as well; they bring joy and prosperity for every consumer of these tasty treats. Ever heard of Nian Gao, Love Letters, for instance, all those Chinese New Year cookies or shall we say Chinese New Year treats, are just heartwarming for the young and the old.