Some friends came for dinner and brought a Chinese Moon Cake. I had never heard of Mooncake. They are a Chinese pastry eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is the second most important day in the Chinese calendar, next to Chinese New Year. It is a legal holiday in many Asian countries. It is celebrated the 15th day of the 8th month in the Chinese calendar, which is mid-September on our Gregorian calendar. Farmers celebrate the end of their harvest. Families gather and share small cakes together, and admire the full moon. Everyone gets just a little piece.
My friend is Chinese. She grew up eating moon cakes. She warned us not to expect a sweet Western type pastry. The Chinese characters for "longevity" and "harmony" decorate the top. Inside, the cake was made of red bean paste and in the center was a yolk. That's the yellow thing in the center.
The Mooncake had a unique flavor. It was really dense and heavy. I am so appreciative that my friend brought such a thoughtful treat! Hubby and I both are fascinated by customs from other cultures!
How about you? Have you learned something new about a different culture?
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My GF, Candice, is from South Africa and they have breis, which is their version of a cookout. It's fabulous with lots of meat and spices! (I can't spell it correctly, though.)
ReplyDeleteHow neat! I've never seen one of those before.
ReplyDeleteMy husband lived in Korea for a year (with the Air Force) and loves to frequent Korean markets here in the states whenever he can now. He's always bringing back strange deserts and snacks. It's always interesting to see how people on the other side of the world live.
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier this week :)
I heard about Mooncakes while watching Sagwa with my girls but I haven't tried one yet. Looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteinteresting cake...um grew up in S. Korea for 2 years of my life...that was an experience + some
ReplyDeleteI learn...everyday! LOL MY Hubs shops at a Korean grocery and comes home with treat all the time. We love the steamed buns that he brings home filled with a sweet tasting red bean paste. Last week he bought the boys CHOCO BOYS...heheh I know you guys LIKE those tooo!
ReplyDeleteHubs loves all kinds of Korean desserts! His FAVORITES are the steamed buns with red paste! We have something similar in Hawaii called Manapuas. They are closer to being Chinese, though.
ReplyDeleteWe have them on the Autumn Moon Festival and I think they are yucky : ) I keep hoping to find a flavor I like. Our daughter won't eat them either but she does enjoy Moonpies at our holiday celebration : )
ReplyDeleteFound you through 5 Minutes for Mom btw
I love the intricate decorating on the dessert. Now if that egg yolk were a big chunk of peanut butter instead and the rest of the dessert were chocolate, I'd be all over it ;)!
ReplyDeleteI forgot two important traditions we have done for our children. We had a 100 day celebration for my first son when he was a 100 days old. I will have to look up the Korean word for the tradition. IT was way cool and their first birthday is a huge celebration with the child picking an item from the table. OOO and their little Hanboks were so cute.
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