Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, is of ceremonial importance for Chinese culture, as it marks the first day of Chinese New Year which is based on the lunar calendar. Chinese New Year celebrations are the biggest event for Chinese cities both at home and abroad being associated with cultural and religious symbols, family reunion, and not forgetting delicious Chinese foods. Out of these festive treats, Chinese New Year goodies particularly obesity-inducing sweets that are traditional and current editions frequently consumed. In this article, we will learn the 5 lovely Chinese New Year goodies that would make it perfect for this season and will surely match your cravings during the celebration.
1. Nian Gao (Year Cake)
Nian Gao is a favorite Chinese New Year delight most people look forward to when the festive season approaches. After translated, the term is called Nian Gao, which means year cake and it’s symbolising high and prosperous year ahead. There are sweet cakes that are prepared from starch, specifically glutinous rice flour which is boiled in water together with brown sugar or any other sweetener to produce a sticky and sweet paste. Traditional Nian Gao can be packed into blocks or can be sculpted into numerous superb artistic impressions, thus making it beautiful and look like a symbol of prosperity.
Nian Gao can be eaten in many ways. The conventional way is slicing of the cake and frying the slices in a pan until brown; this provides an additional crispy caramelized layer. Nian Gao can also be steamed, boiled or baked, and it can be accompanied by many things such as sesame seeds, peanuts or chocolate. Nian Gao is one of the common Chinese New Year presents or food to be offered to the neighbors and friends.
2. Sweet Rice Dumplings
Another sweet which is popular during Chinese New Year celebration is called Tang Yuan, literally Sweet Rice Dumplings. These are small round shapeddumplings prepared from glutinous rice flour and the filling of sweet items like red bean paste, lotus seed paste or black sesame paste. Tang Yuan can be consumed through boiling in water or soup until tender, and they have a soft and ‘chewy’ nature. Following preparation, the dumplings are normally eaten with a ginger sugar soup or Osmanthus sugar soup that is wonderful and sweet.
Tang Yuan also known as glutinous rice balls is a symbols of reunion, hence is very popular meals prepared during the Chinese New Year which symbolises reunion of families. Another tradition is that it is better to cook dumplings with pinkish filling as it is believed that this color symbolizes happiness. In some regions the Tang Yuan is enjoyed during the celebration of the Lantern Festival, coming 15 days following the Chinese New Year.
3. Huellatang or Crispy Peanut Toffee
Crispy Peanut Toffee known as Huellatang is special Chinese New Year snack at which the taste of caramelised sugar and roasted peanuts are the main features. Huella tang is a candy chewy and crispy made from roasted peanuts, sugar and honey; the mixture is boiled to caramel and then hardens into this yummy product.
The delightful delicacy can be self-prepared at home, or purchased from the bakeries and food vendors in the festive period. Not only does Huellatang taste good, it also is associated with symbolism during Chinese New Year. People consider peanuts to be auspicious because it has the shape of gold bars. The toffee is also crunchy, and the traditions of this snack are believed to help people make as much money as possible in the new year.
4. Sesame Seed Balls
Another sweet Chinese New Year delicacies that any lover of sweet items can enjoy include Sesame Seed Balls. The most popular among all types of mooncakes is the sesame seed ball, which is made from glutinous rice flour dough and packed with red bean paste or lotus seed paste, rolled with sesame seeds and deep fried to golden color. This makes one to have a soft, chewy and sweet skin through out with a rich and creamy core within.
Sesame Seed Balls can be eaten during the Chinese New Year mainly because of their symbolism. Sesame seeds convey luck and prosperity to those who eat them and that makes the treats appropriate for the holiday period. On top of that it has round shape and meaning prosperous and perfect just like sesame seeds balls are perfect for family reunion gatherings.
5. Pineapple Tarts
Even though they do not originate from the Chinese New Year goodies list, Pineapple Tarts are now considered inedible Chinese New Year ingredients especially amongst the Singaporean and Malaysian communities. This delicious pastry is made with rich buttery puff pastry, and is then filled with a zesty pineapple jam. Pineapple Tarts has different forms of shapes, round or crescent but the main feature of the product is the chewy pineapple jam coupled with the crumbly biscuit dough.
Singaporean Pineapple Tarts are especially important during Chinese New Year because the fruit itself symbolizes prosperity because of its golden hue and the fact that pineapple and its core symbolize good fortune and wealth respectively. This is a delightful Chinese New Year delicacies occasioned with sweet and sugary tastes, which are normally presented to friends, families, and neighbors during the holiday occasion.
Conclusion
Chinese New Year is the perfect time to indulge in sweet and delightful treats that symbolize good luck, wealth, and prosperity for the year ahead. These traditional and modern CNY goodies are a must for sweet lovers, creating cherished moments during this grand celebration. Embark on a delicious gourmet journey that begins with classics like Nian Gao and Tang Yuan, moves through heartwarming Huellatang, and culminates in the irresistible Pineapple Tarts. Each bite marks the end of a chilly winter and sets the tone for a prosperous New Year. Explore a curated selection of these festive delights at cny-goodies.com and make your celebrations extra special!
