Introduction
The Chinese New Year (CNY), also Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people, which is first day of new year based on lunar calendar. It is observed for fifteen days starting from the first day of the first lunar month up to the last day of this period, the lantern festival. CNY is a reunion time, social, a time to eat food and to make offering to the ancestors. In spite of these variations, there are some basic or typical traits in Chinese New Year celebration that are so widely observed. One of these customs is feasting on tasty Chinese treats that signify good luck, prosperity, health and longevity. In this guide let us take a look at some of the most famous CNY goodies and their preparation methods and meanings.
Iconic CNY Goodies: An Overview
1. Nian Gao
Among Chinese New Year foods, Nian Gao or sticky rice cake doesn’t ring a bell to many people and yet it is a staple most especially in homes that follow Chinese New Year traditions. Nian Gao is a sweet, sticky dish made out of glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and perhaps chestnuts, red beans, or lotus seeds asserting hopefulness for success and the attainment of new heights. The Chinese literal meaning of the word “Gao” is ‘high’ or ‘tall’ and the color white used dominantly in the form of Nian Gao symbolizes purity and happiness.
Preparation:
Nian Gao preparation is not really a complicated task, here is how to prepare it. Firstly, this item, which is glutinous rice flour, is blended with water in order to make a batter. Any other staple and/or sweetening material is also incorporated, and after that the mixture is simmered over low heat until thickened. After preparation it is shaped in rectangular or round forms and most often dyed with red food colouring for the symbolism of prosperity.
2. Jiaozi
One of the most famous Chinese foods during the CNY season is Jiaozi or dumplings. They symbolize riches because its form is reminiscent of traditional Chinese silver or gold bars. Another reason people think that eating Jiaozi is especially lucky is because it is a practice of◌ People also also think that eating Jiaozi can help them to make up for the wealth lost in the lunar year.
Preparation:
Traditionally, dumplings combine meat, particularly ground pork, shrimp or some sort of vegetable folded into a thin, circular wrapper constructed from wheat flour. The filling also includes spices adding on it the garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil. To enclose, a spoon of filling is put and placed in the middle of the wrapper and the corners twisted and pinched in order to get the filled dumpling. Jiaozi is prepared by either boiling, pan-frying or steaming.
3. Tang Yuan
Tang Yuan is a sweet soup made of rice cake commonly with filling like sesame paste or red bean paste inside or just plain simple rice balls. This sweet symbolizes reunion and everybody’s togetherness and balance in the family because its shape is round. That of eating Tang Yuan in the CNY is more frequent on the winter solstice, or Douzhiga (执靖节), one of the solar terms in the China’s Lunisolar calendar.
Preparation:
Tang Yuan dough is prepared by using glutinous rice flour and water, so that the mass can be worked easily and molded into what is desired. Small portion is then taken and molded into a thin disk, and then filled with the kind of filling one intends to embed in the end product. The filled Tang Yuan are then steamed and boiled water or soup in order that the Tang Yuan floats on the surface. It can be eaten with a soup of sugar syrup or molasses, either black or caramelised, or with any usual soup.
4. Yuanxiao
Tangyuan or Yuanxiao or Lantern festival balls are round balls made of glutinous rice to be eaten on the Lantern festival which also signifies the last day of CNY celebration. These sweet balls represent reunion and sweetness just like Tang Yuan and can come in different flavors such as sesame, red bean or peanut flavor. It needs to be also featured that the lanterns with which the festival in question is associated represent wisdom and light that can lead to the right path.
Preparation:
The preparation of Yuanxiao is very much the same to that of Tang Yuan. The main difference is one is bigger and less fragile while the other is small and delicate due to the fact the Yuanxiao is normally served in sweet soup or caramelized sugar syrup. In some regions Yuanxiao are also stuffed with salted egg yolks, which heralding family prosperities.
5. Niangao
Earlier, it has been said that Niangao or sticky rice cake is one of the most important food items traditionally consumed during CNY. Niangao also represents higher social status, or in other words prosperity or good fortunes in life apart from the aspect of growth and progress. Niangao is a special dish, which some Chinese prepare for the New Year eve in order to pray for success in their operations or jobs.
Preparation:
The treatment of Niangao production described above is a little bit complex as compared to the other treats discussed in this guide. It is made by steaming glutinous rice with sugar, osmanthus flowers and pumpkin seeds and ground with pestle and mortar. The paste is then modeled into large oblongs or blocks which are then steamed or fried before being sliced for serving.
6. Fa Gao
Fa Gao or barbecue buns are a cross between Zeppoli, an Italian fried cookie, or a pastry on the outside, with a soft and moist dough akin to bread on the inside, filled with sweetened red bean paste or custard. This Chinese New Year treat is a representation of wealth, fortune and prosperity because of its color and the shape of the original component which resembles ancient Chinese gold bars. Fa Gao is normally prepared for an eve of Chinese New Year celebration, and it is taken as a traditional breakfast food on the first day of the lunar year.
Preparation:
To make Fa Gao, there is production of a batter which is made from a combination of flour, yeast, sugar and water. The batter pictured above is then filled with the sweet stuffing of choice and then piped into greased muffin tins. Before serving the buns, they undergo a baking process in order to give them a rich brown color on the surface of the buns making the bun exterior hard as a crust while the inside soft.
Conclusion
Chinese New Year is a time when food takes center stage, symbolizing luck, wealth, and happiness for the year ahead. Each of these CNY goodies, from Nian Gao to Yuanxiao, carries a special meaning cherished across generations. Understanding the origins and significance of these treats – why they are shared, gifted, or enjoyed on special occasions – allows us to fully embrace the traditions and values passed down from our ancestors, making these festive sweets all the more enjoyable. Happy Lunar New Year! May these delightful CNY goodies bring you and your loved ones abundant joy, prosperity, and all the good fortune the New Year has to offer. Happy Chinese New Year!