The Mooncake Festival or many would call it “Zhong Qiu Jie” in the traditional Chinese language falls on the 15^th of the eighth lunar month. The name “Mid-Autumn Festival” was derived from the 15^th day being the middle of the month and the eighth lunar month coincidently falling in the middle of autumn.

In the modern era which we live in today, the traditional custom of offering sacrifices to the moon has been replaced by celebrating the festival with family and friends with the gifting of mooncakes.

On top of that, hosting Moon-viewing parties is one way to enjoy the occasion, with family and friends sitting in gardens lit by paper lanterns, sipping tea, nibbling on our handmade milky fragranced Momoyama mooncakes made up of mouthwatering Taoshan skin!

The full moon is considered a symbol of reunion, shaped round like the full moon, our fusion cultured Kek-Lapis mooncakes signify reunion while generously smothered beneath a thick layer of authentic snow skin. 

Are you a fan of folktales? Then you’re in for a treat!

Have you heard of the Rabbit on the moon? Buddha disguised himself as a hungry old man and approached three animals – a fox, a monkey, and a rabbit – for help. The fox caught a fish for him, the monkey brought some fruits, but the rabbit threw itself into the fire, offering itself as meat.

In gratitude, Buddha resurrected the rabbit and sent it to the moon to be venerated. If you are a believer, then these Jade Rabbit Jelly mooncakes are perfect for you!

Long ago during the ancient times when the Mongols were overthrown, the Heavenly King’s mooncakes played a major role in the liberation of Yuan China (1206–1341 CE) from the Mongols in the 14th century.

Despite a prohibition against large gatherings, rebel leader Zhu Yuan Zhang was able to instigate a rebellion by placing secret messages in mooncakes. The rebellion took place during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the celebration of the festival and eating of mooncakes took on a different meaning thereafter.

The last and final folktale here today will be about, Hou Yi – an archer and member of the Imperial Guard – was said to have saved the earth from scorching when he shot down nine of the 10 suns circling the planet. As a reward, he was chosen by the people to be their king but he later became tyrannical. In his possession was the elixir of life, but Chang-E, his wife, stole the elixir and drank it. 

Chang-E then ascended to the moon and became the Moon Goddess. Hou Yi, on the other hand, was given a Black Sesame mooncake by the Queen Mother of the Western Paradise (Xi Wang Mu). Upon eating the cake, he was able to withstand heat and was sent to the sun. With a special talisman, he was able to visit Chang-E on the 15th of every month, during the full moon.

After all these ancient folk tales, have you made up your mind on which story you believe in and which mooncake you would like to take home?