Chinese Lunar New Year or commonly referred to as Spring Festival or CNY is a season of togetherness for families, cleaning and renewal, as well as, welcoming of good luck and prosperity. It is a very important celebration celebrated in more than 1.4 billion people and it has different parts and traditions which emphasize on the group values of people. From cracking fire crackers to giving red packets with some silver coins, these customs bring out happy moments and unity. An essential part of this celebration is good, yummy foods that represent happiness and success during the New Year. This article specifically takes a look into few CNY goodies which are tradition, tasteful, and meaningful for the gift recipients.

Nian Gao – Sticky, Sweet and Related to Wealth

For hundreds of years, Nian gao, also called “year cake”, has been a traditional item during the celebration of the Lunar New Year. This pastry is simple in preparation as it is made from glutinous rice flour and sugar and to signify more prosperity, this cake is very sticky. Originally, it was a practice that families would take Nian gao to their friends and I friends and relatives as a memento for the New Year’s well wishes and happiness.

Pineapple Tarts:Achieving the Right Crispiness and Level of Sweetness

Another item that has literally become a part of many people’s diet besides the Chinese New Year is the pineapple tarts. Here we have scrumptious tarts that have a thin layer of the crust and incorporate a sweet pineapple jam filling. The complex work created in the tarts represents wealth and the gold one would like to earn in the subsequent year.

Ang Bao – That is the small red packets filled with good fortune for the little ones

Although not in materialistic sense, one cannot celebrate Chinese New Year without giving and receiving of red envelops commonly known as Ang Bao. These packets are offered to the young ones particularly in the family and also to friends and other colleagues . The figure is based on a lot of consideration of good choice of number, such as eight meaning wealth and eight- nine meaning longevity inscribed on the Ang Bao. The color red of the envelopes is also chosen to mean a lucky color and to chase away evil spirits.

Tang Yuan – The Ball Signifying Reunion

Tang yuan is a sweet treat made from ground glutinous rice flour cooked in water and filled with such fillings as red bean paste, peanut, sesame and osmanthus flower. These round and rather resemble dumplings are symbolic of reunion, as such they are consumed and shared as a family during the festival.

Tea Cakes and Fortune Cookies – Small Delights That Are All Heart

A favorite Lunar New Year confection is tea cakes and also the fortune cookies. It is a tiny, snack form confection, which is available in a range of tastes including almond, coconut and even chocolate. The light of the American-Chinese dessert fortune cookies does not only fit the event and make it more diverse and interesting, but also the cookies themselves will be wonderful party souvenirs for the Lunar New Year. These crunchy cookies usually have good luck, prosperity or happiness messages written inside of them.

Pu-Erh Tea — Herbs that We Drink for Longevity

Instead, drinking Pu-erh tea is more than a pleasure, it is a tradition associated with such cultural emblem as Traditional Chinese Lunar New Year. It is made from fermented tea and combines very thick taste and aroma, they said the has qualities that can cure obesity in addition to arresting the problem of heart diseases. It is one of the six traditional tea types of China which is bestowed with the symbolism of longevity and is health promoting; and what can be a better season to indulge in this ‘tea of happiness’ than this festive season.

Nourishing Your Family – Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes

The Mid- Autumn Festival is celebrated in the eighth lunar month and during this time families partake in the eating of mooncakes; with the most common being the lotus seed paste mooncake. These pastries with structure that is crisp on the outside, light on the inside represent family unity, gatherings, and prosperity. It should also be noted that the mooncakes are round and because the Chinese celebrate the festival when the moon is round, the roundness of the moon cakes made them suitable for use during this festival.

Conclusion: Savor Tradition and Bring And Taste Happiness

Lunar New Year is a magical and vibrant festival in China, originating from rich culture and values paying general regards to human biology of sight, smell, taste, feel and hearing traditions. Everything starting from the delicious Nian Gao and Pineapple Tarts to the blessings enclosed in red envelopes represent togetherness that is the essence of this festival. Consuming these delicious delicacies with friends and family makes us appreciate time-honored traditions and create a welcoming atmosphere. Therefore let the magic of CNY goodies be part and parcel of this festive season and spread happiness around by sharing the taste.