Introduction
Chinese New Year also referred to as Lunar New Year or also known as the Spring Festival is a brilliant and significant festival that has origins rooted in thousands of years. Over time, Chinese people in different provinces of China and overseas Chinese have incorporated their own practices to the Chinese celebration such as the many Chinese sweets and snacks consumed during this holiday. In recent years, there has been an influx of modern CNY goodies, and the age-old question has risen: Are you to buy these conventional products and services or should one opt for these contemporary edibles? In this article, we shall shed light on the basic CNY goodies and guide you in choosing which sweets to take for the coming year of the Ox.
Traditional CNY Goodies
Most Chinese New Year delicacies are filled with cultural connotations and these represent elements from the yesteryears. Though cultural and generational differences may be there, there are some traditional recipes which are more or less a part of every home and dining table on this day.
1. Sticky Rice Cake : Nian Gao
Coming from Southern part of China, the Nian Gao is basically, sweet rice dumplings prepared from glutinous rice powder. Pronounced as “Nian” it means year while “Gao” means high or tall, hence represents growth or prosperity of things in new year. It is sweet which symbolically means happiness and luck at that.
2. Tang Yuan (汤圆) – Rice Dumplings
Tang Yuan is a glutinous rice dumpling that is sweet or savory filling and are familiar foods to many Chinese people. It is consumed during get together ceremonies symbolizing reunion and togetherness since the dumplings are round in shape to symbolize oneness or wholeness. The dish is favorite family dish during the winter solstice celebration; however, the food is also consumed during the New Year celebration.
3. Peanut Cookies and Love Letters
These are break-and-butter cookies that are famous in many Chinese societies. It is prepared from a dough of flour, sugar and oil and then shaped to the forms that peanut cookies are square or rectangular while love letters are crisp baked wafers of folded thin paper like structures. They are used to depict gifts of good fortune and affluence. These design intricacies at the cookies also symbolizes blessings of happiness, longevity and prosperity.
4. Candied Nuts and Fruits (Sugar Coated Nuts)
Candied fruits and nuts are traditional examples of snacks that include almonds, cashews, walnuts, and dried fruits such as dates, apricots and apples. These treats are coated in a sugar glaze that is sweet, crunchy, and adds great flavor to the already colorful sweet treats. The fruits and nuts also have their shape meant to represent issues to do with abundance and surplus.
5. Pineapple Tarts and Bak Kwa
Kuih and Bak Kwa are the two famous snacks that are born from Southeast Asia and are consumed in the Chinese communities. Cucidur Pineapple tarts are small pastries with pineapple preserve fillings within them, reminding of the “pineapple” meaning wealthy. Popular snacks include Bak Kwa which is barbecued sweet and savored jerky; preferably butchered from pork, to symbolise future year’s ‘obtainment.’
Modern CNY Goodies
The latest development of modern CNY goodies can best be describe as fusion New Year goodies with an incorporation of the traditional taste profile accompanied by classical and even western touches. These are new changes in the Chinese society, culture and the new lifestyle of Chinese people giving new outlook to the human tradition.
1. Sago Palm and Almond Cookies
All these are categorized as novelty confectionery, which are inspired by the current trend or the Sago Palm tree or even almond cookies, but in fact, edible snacks. These tokens are most of the time carved into sophisticated shapes and designs; they are gifts of prosperity, success, and joy.
2. KitKat with Red Bean Paste and Matcha Pringles as Flavored Snacks
KitKat with red bean paste flavor and Matcha Pringles illustrates the compatibility of Chinese and western taste. They are New Age treats, which add the pop element to traditional sweets and yet do not let go of symbolism of auspicious elements.
3. Chinese New Year Cupcakes and Macarons
People that host CNY parties get an opportunity to engage diverse decorations especially when considering cupcakes and macarons. Everyone would love to have brightly colored sweets and symbolisms as part of the aura during the holiday; however, these creations give a very stylish look to the traditional mood.
4. Sesame Seed Lava Bun
This delicious baked good has a fluffy meringue-like crust and its sesame center is hot and gooey when the cookie is bitten into. It symbolizes prosperity and having more than adequate or enough blessings. In Chinese food, sesame seeds are often used basically they’re a symbol of prosperity.
5. M&M’s with Messages and Living Room Trees
It is still possible to see the misty eyes of a child when receiving such pendrives as chocolate coin and mini bonsai tree which are associated with people’s prosperity and growth. Such children could be given chocolates shaped like coins or even be given actual chocolate Coins as tokens or tokens of appreciation could be used to be given to guest while the bonsai tree presents the growth aspect of chinese new year.
Conclusion
There is no definite rule when it comes to choosing traditional CNY goodies or modernized ones; it all depends on personal preferences, cultural traditions, and the type of occasion. For traditional favorites, consider delights like Nian Gao, Tang Yuan, Peanut Cookies, Candied Nuts, Pineapple Tarts, and Bak Kwa. For a more modern approach to the celebrations, you can explore treats like Sago Palm, Almond Cookies, Flavored Snacks, Customizable Party Snacks, Sesame Seed Lava Buns, and Novelty Gifts. Whether traditional or contemporary, these CNY goodies bring joy and flavor to the festive season!
As mentioned countless times above, Chinese New Year revolves around the happiness that comes with family and friends so selecting snacks should mainly considering which ones you and your loved ones wish to feast on. Whether chosen between the classic treatment or the new treatment, these sweets shall definitely add a festive and joyful spirit to your festivity. Happy Chinese New Year everyone!!!