Introduction
CNY is a time or reunion for families and friends to rejoice for the new year especially the Year of the Tiger. No celebration is complete without having a binge that is usually served with traditional Chinese New Year food. These delicious delicacies which could be homemade or facebookred packets or ‘ang paos’, contain blessings and well wishes for good fortune and prosperity in the new year. I this article we explore the ultimate CNY goodies list that features some nice and popular delicacies associated with the New Year celebration.
1. Nian Gao (Year Cake)
Nian gao is another traditional item which is a specialty of the Chinese New Year and preferred by all. Most of these cakes are prepared from glutinous rice flour and can be baked or steamed, sweetened with brown sugar or syrup. Nian gao lacks modernity in its background and meaning as it is a part of the traditional Chinese culture with a meaning: ‘higher year by year,’ showing that one progresses with time. The impermeability of the cake symbolizes that no matter how difficult life’s challenges may be, they may be conquered and the upper layer of the cake portrays advancement and victory.
2. Pineapple Tarts
Another traditional Chinese New Year delicacy is pineapple tarts, a beloved treat, especially in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. These buttery, flaky pastries are filled with a generous dollop of rich pineapple jam, symbolizing prosperity. The golden hue of the pineapple is associated with wealth and good fortune. Pineapple tarts are often enjoyed during the festive season, with families gathering to share this treat as they wish each other luck and abundance for the coming year.
3. Love Letters
Kuih Kapit are also known as love letters – thin, dry biscuits that are very crunchy and that will literally dissolve in your mouth. These are tiny, finger shaped cookies made from flour, sugar and butter, rolled out to a slimmer layer of dough and baked. Every Chinese New Year, people exchange love letters to express their love and affection with friends and family.
4. Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes
There is no Chinese New Year celebration or reunion dinner would be complete without a box of lotus seed paste mooncake as it was originally a Mid-Autumn Festival treat. These pastry mooncakes are made with sweet, sticky lotus seed paste and sometimes with a salted duck egg yolk or red bean paste. The mooncake is круглой формы, which stands for a complete and perfect shape, the yolk is yellow, symbolizing luminosity and richness.
5. Tang Yuan
Tang Yuan is a desert type of Chinese origin which mainly uses glutinous rice flour and is usually filled with ingredients such as sesame paste, red bean paste or peanut paste. These round shaped sweet dumplings meaning reunion and symbolically recalling a sort of family gathering as people enjoy it together. Lunar New year dishes: They are more celebrated during the lantern Festivals which occur on the 15th of the first lunar month.
6. Osmanthus Flower Tea
Chinese Osmanthus flower tea is a very popular drink during the Chinese New Year not only for the good smell but for the lucky meaning. The Osmanthus flower is considered sacred and a harbinger of good luck and prosperity as well as long life. Tea is often taken hot or chilled and therefore it takes a snack during the out break periods such as festive seasons.
7. Peach Gum Jelly
They include peach gum or ‘ tong shui,’ that is obtained from the hardened sap of the ‘linux’ tree from the bark area. When steeped in hot water it has a very soft, squishy, jelly-like quality like Acacia gum and is employed in confectionery. Peach gum jelly is an example of traditional Chinese New Year food so eating them is believed to bring longevity and good health. Although it serves well as a cold treat in the hottest summer months, it is especially effective in treating sore throat during the winter on shock.
8. Red Bean Soup
The favorite red bean soup is one of several hot Chinese New Year dishes, which are traditionally served on the first three days of the holiday period. Red bean is consider to have the meaning of staying power and togetherness and therefore is ideal for the festive season. Having sweet and thick soup in the middle of winter makes it a perfect treat that a person would want to have.
9. Fa Gao (Barley Cake)
Fa gao or barley cake has a cylindrical shape and is fluffy, soft, sweet bun with a crispy layer of caramelized sugar on the surface of the bun. Softness inside is tenderness and gentleness and golden crust is indicative of richness and affluence. Fa gao is always associated with New Year celebration more specifically Chinese New Year since people look forward to welcoming a new year.
10. Eight Treasure Rice Pudding
Ba bao fan or the eight treasure rice pudding is sweet aromatic rice pudding using glutinous rice, eight mixed dried fruits and nuts and topped with syrup. The eight elements put in the dessert itself are as follows and each number is used to justify a kind of luck and prosperity. Despite its tastefulness, this sweet merchandise has the CNY emblem inscribed in it making it part and parcel of the ultimate list of goodie bags for this festive season.
Conclusion
Chinese New Year is one of the most cherished times of the year, filled with symbolic and delicious treats that bring families together. Classic CNY goodies like nian gao and love letters are more than just snacks; they’re a unique celebration of unity, prosperity, and tradition. With every bite, we’re tasting not only the flavor but also the blessings of the year ahead. Don’t miss out on enjoying as many of these auspicious delicacies as you can this CNY, immersing yourself in the joyful atmosphere and vibrant spirit of this beautiful holiday season.
