I Like Them!
I was reading this fun article about mooncakes shaped like cell phones, when I noticed this line:
A couple nights back, I mentioned mooncakes at a dinner in Beijing and the table erupted in hilarity and derision — my hosts advised me that mooncakes are the Chinese equivalent of Christmas cakes — no one likes them, everyone gives them (I like Christmas cake!). They are haloed with weird possible urban legends, like the scandal of a mooncake manufacturer that was recycling last year’s filling because no one can taste the difference between year-old and fresh mooncake stuffin’.
WHAT?! How can this be?! I freaking love mooncakes!!! The Mid-Autumn Festival is like one of my favorite holidays ever, and I never get any gifts! While I am not a huge fan of that awful little yolk ball in the middle, that can be easily removed, and many cakes are sold without it. I prefer lotus seed, black bean, and red bean fillings, but I’ve had some other good fillings. Wiki had the following snippet:
But despite its central role in the Mid-Autumn festival, the popularity of mooncakes has declined in recent years. Part of the reason is that people are becoming more health-conscious. Traditional mooncakes are made with lard, and a lot of sugar. Another reason for the decline in popularity is that the Moon Festival has become increasingly commercialized. People are focusing more on the exchange of gifts, and less on the traditional celebrations, such that its symbolism has eroded. Many mooncakes are bought by businessmen who give them to their clients as presents.
I guess that makes some sense, but it doesn’t change the fact that mooncakes are delicious. Plus they’re not that large, and you don’t eat them that often, so what is the big deal about how unhealthy they are? I am very sad to learn that mooncakes are not held in esteem by people in China, because there is always a special place in my heart (and belly, and mouth) for the mooncake. In fact, I am honoring the mooncake by making this the first post that I used the new WP 2.3 feature of tagging on, in case I ever want to find this post again.
Tags: food
Elsewhere Online, Site News | Kabitzin 9/25/2007
By Catnip, 9/25/2007 @ 1:07 am
Alas, I think this is the truth. This tradition is favored more with overseas people than actual people in China, which I think must got sick of receiving mooncakes and having to eat them. Although, just the other day when I was mentioning Mid Autumn Festival to M, she emphatically said “please no mooncakes. nobody eats them” so I guess she has been converted -_-!!
By Zyl, 9/25/2007 @ 8:29 am
Hey, I like the little yolks balls in the middle!
More generally, the first mooncake is nice but after that, without tea, it gets pretty tough going.
By Kabitzin, 9/25/2007 @ 9:15 am
I had 3 of them (small ones) last night after midnight and it was glorious.
Perhaps the problem is one of quantity (especially if multiple people sent them to you). I would not be able to finish one of those huge boxes with four big mooncakes in it before the mooncakes went stale. However, one medium-sized one would be no problem =D.
By Velius, 9/25/2007 @ 9:50 am
It’s more about social programming than anything else. Most of the people who claim to hate mooncakes, probably never actually tasted good ones before or just never tried to actually appreciate one. Mooncakes are akin to say a good RTS. People are really afraid of doing badly at it, when if they actually tried it and put some effort, it can be quite good.
By Kabitzin, 9/25/2007 @ 10:14 am
Wait, so if I eat a mooncake, camels will come over and beat the crap out of my apt?
/scared
By Chris, 9/25/2007 @ 12:34 pm
If nobody likes mooncakes why don’t they switch to puppies?