Introduction
The Chinese New Year or Spring festival or CNY basically symbolizes the Happy New Year is the most important festival that is celebrated by people across the world from time immemorial. The timed gives the families opportunity to light up lanterns, to dress in colorful costumes and to savour nice sweets in the end. Although there are quite numerous classes of these sweet goodies consumed in different varieties all over China and its diverse culture, some traditional delicacies are considerate specialties of the festival. In this article, we will invite you to taste the dessert, starting with CNY goodies that have deep-rooted traditions in Chinese culture.
Nian Gao (年糕)
Giving the primary importance of Chinese New Year candies and Chinese New Year fruits, one must not fail to mention Nian Gao; it is quite sticky, sweet and gooey glutinous rice cake. This has its origin in the fact that ‘Nian’ (年) is construed as ‘year’ whilst ‘Gao’ (糕) as either ‘high’ or ‘tall’ meaning a tall New Year with a connotation of meaning a higher standard new year. That is, to bake cakes, glutinous rice flour and brown sugar or syrup is steamed. Occasionally, some flavoring agents such as peanut, sweet spirited potatoes and taro can be included in the dish. The dessert is good on its own but can be pan fried, so it becomes crispy or rolled in shredded coconut.
Butter Crust Pineapple Tart (凤梨酥)
Pineapple tarts are by far the most popular sweets traditionally used to celebrate CNY ; it is a fluffy pasty filled or covered with pineapple paste. This scrumptious sweet dish comes from the Southern Chinese administrative region of Hong Kong and is much loved by both young and old. The tart’s outer layer is gold – traditionally a symbol of prosperity – and the center is sweet, for nothing is sweeter than life itself.
3. Tang Yuan (汤圆)
Tang Yuan is a famous Chinese traditional sweet which is especially served during the eve and the days of the Chinese New Year because it symbolizes reunion. These glutinous rice balls contain sweet fillings inside, and can be either red bean paste, sesame paste, peanut paste, and are served in sweet ginger soup. Tang Yuan is round in shape and thus the meaning of reunion and completeness: it must be shared with everyone.
4. Jiaozi (饺子) – Dumplings
Another staple food for the CNY celebration is the dumplings or more formally called as Jiaozi. It is common to fill them with savory food and then enclose in a thin layer of the dough before boiling or pan frying the buns. It is typically filled with grounded pork, shrimp, chives, and/or cabbage. You will also note that dumplings shape closely resembles ancient Chinese silver or gold; as a result they are associated with prosperity and fortune. Consumption of dumplings during the last evening of the year is indeed a very popular tradition in China as it bestows the luck and prosperity during the New Year.
5. Fa Gao (发糕)
Fa Gao, referred to as flower cakes, are sweet, raised dough products, which are as high as a cake and have a baked crust while the inside of the cake is rather spongelike. Common shapes are tall cylinders that resemble bamboo orHispeed® due to the symbolism of growth, prosperity and good fortune associated with the material. The shapes of the toppings on the cakes are of flowers standing for happiness, fortune, and prosperity. Fa Gao are commonly found in Fujian and Guangdong province of China.
6. Lotus Seed Paste Moon Cakes (莲蓉月饼)
Another typical Chinese pastry is Moon cakes, which had their origin in the Ming dynasties and are important for the Chinese New Year. Originally, rice dumplings are consumed during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but they are now associate with CNY. Moon cakes are, in fact, sweet delicacies made from filling of lotus seed paste mixed with ingredients such as egg yolks. These pastries are associated with family gatherings and are used by friends and family members to smoothen up relationships.
7. Rice Dumplings (糯米饺子)
The second type of dumpling consumed during CNY is the rice dumpling. These small round rice dumplings where the filling wrapped outside in the fresh bamboo leaves contain fillings such as pork belly, peanuts, mushrooms and glutinous rice. Rice dumplings symbolize reunion and healthy living and are typically prepared and consumed in the course of Dragon Boat Festival in June although they are also loved during Chinese New Year celebration.
8. Sesame Seed Balls (芝麻球)
Sesame seed balls, also known as liquid filled ball, is made from wheat flour, water and sesame seeds with a sweet red bean paste or lotus seed paste filling and fried until crisp on the outer layer. They are then coated in sesame seeds, powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar. These are crispy sweet biscuits which represent blessings of joy, prosperity, auspiciousness and therefore perfect for the Chinese New Year occasion.
Conclusion
A time when thousands come together to celebrate Chinese New Year with family, sharing stories and savoring a feast of delectable dishes. Each sweet and special CNY treat carries a deep meaning, rooted in Chinese tradition. From the chewy Nian Gao to the delicate mooncakes, these classic CNY goodies are more than delightful snacks or pastries; they’re symbols of Chinese New Year at its finest. Whether you’re celebrating CNY in China or abroad, these goodies make it easy to join in the joy and warmth that define this festive season.