BEST MOONCAKES TO TRY THIS MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL

Mooncakes are one of the most recognizable foods of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Every year, many people buy mooncakes to share with family, and mooncake gift boxes are also commonly given to friends, clients and business partners.

There are many stories linking mooncakes with Mid-Autumn traditions. One of the best known is the legend that mooncakes were used to pass secret messages during the late Yuan dynasty. According to the story, supporters of Zhu Yuanzhang hid notes saying “Uprising on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month” inside mooncakes and distributed them to spread the message in secret. However, this story is mainly passed down as a legend, and there is not enough historical evidence to confirm that every detail happened exactly this way.

Apart from these stories, mooncakes themselves have changed a lot over time. From traditional lotus seed paste and red bean fillings to today’s custard, snow skin and ice cream mooncakes, there are now many more ways to enjoy them during Mid-Autumn Festival.

Mooncake Facts You May Not Know

• The Story Behind “Hu Bing”

There are different stories about how the name “mooncake” came about. One version links early pastries made with ingredients such as sesame and nuts to “Hu Bing”. However, the historical details are difficult to confirm, so it is better treated as an interesting cultural story rather than a definite origin.

• Mooncakes Are Easy to Share

Traditional mooncakes are usually quite rich and filling, so cutting them into smaller pieces and sharing them with family or friends is a common way to enjoy them during Mid-Autumn Festival. It also makes it easier to try different flavours without eating a whole mooncake at once.

• Mooncakes Are Often High in Sugar and Fat

The size, filling and recipe can vary a lot between different mooncakes, so there is no single calorie figure that applies to all of them. Snow skin mooncakes are not automatically lower in sugar or fat either, so checking the nutrition label is the best way to compare products.

• There Was Once a Mooncake Weighing More Than Two Tonnes

In 2013, a giant mooncake was made in Shanghai. It weighed 2,496.4 kg, measured about 2.57 metres across and took 15 chefs three days to complete. It was recorded by Guinness World Records.

• The Patterns on Mooncakes Are Part of Their Look

Many mooncakes are pressed with Chinese characters, floral patterns or brand designs on the surface. Today, mooncake gift boxes also come in many different styles, so people often look at both the flavour and the packaging when choosing a Mid-Autumn gift.

Different Types of Mooncakes

Traditional Mooncakes

• Cantonese Mooncakes: Cantonese-style mooncakes are among the most common traditional types. They usually have a thin, golden-brown crust with fillings such as lotus seed paste, red bean paste or black sesame. Salted egg yolks are also commonly added, with some mooncakes containing one or two yolks.
• Shanghai Mooncakes: Shanghai-style mooncakes usually have a flaky pastry crust, which gives them a crisper and more crumbly texture than Cantonese mooncakes. They often have a buttery flavour, while the fillings can vary between sweet and savoury depending on the recipe.
• Suzhou Mooncakes: Suzhou-style mooncakes are known for their layered, flaky pastry. Both sweet and savoury versions are available, with fresh meat mooncakes being one of the better-known savoury styles. Some are finished with sesame seeds or a red edible stamp on top.

Modern Mooncakes

• Ice Cream Mooncakes: Ice cream mooncakes are made with ice cream and may be covered with chocolate, snow skin or another outer layer. They are shaped to look like traditional mooncakes and are usually sold as a seasonal dessert during the Mid-Autumn period.

• Snow Skin Mooncakes: Snow skin mooncakes are not baked in the same way as traditional mooncakes. Their soft outer layer is usually made with cooked glutinous rice flour, and they are often made in lighter colours with decorative patterns pressed onto the surface. They usually need to be kept chilled.

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3 Fruit Hampers for Mid-Autumn Gifting

PREMIUM FRUIT HAMPER WITH PENINSULA MOONCAKE & WINE OR CHAMPAGNE

Stick to Mid-Autumn customs and traditions by making sure to share these delectable mooncakes with your loved ones, friends and corporate partners by ordering our Premium Fruit Hamper along with a bottle of red wine and exquisite Peninsula mooncakes this holiday season.

ORDER OUR Premium Fruit Hamper with Peninsula Mooncake & Wine or Champagne NOW FOR HKD 1059.00!

CLASSIC MID AUTUMN FRUIT HAMPER WITH KEE WAH MOONCAKE & WINE OR CHAMPAGNE

During this Mid-Autumn Season, express your gratitude and give good luck and longevity wishes to the special people in your life with our unique hamper filled with delicious mooncakes, seasonal fruits, and a bottle of red wine.

Perfect for sending to friends, family, clients, and business associates.

ORDER OUR Classic Mid Autumn Fruit Hamper with Kee Wah Mooncake & Wine or Champagne NOW FOR HKD 959.00!

EXCLUSIVE FRUIT GIFT BOX WITH THE LANDMARK MANDARIN ORIENTAL HONG KONG MOONCAKES

This fruit gift box is a magnificent selection of delectable, seasonal fruits that are heaven to the taste buds and a box of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental mooncakes. This Mid-Autumn season, dazzle your friends and family with this thoughtful gift.

ORDER OUR Moonlight Fruit Hamper with Shangri-La Mooncake NOW FOR HKD 1689.00!