Introduction
Lunar New Year or China New Year is the turning of the other season and is celebrated by millions of people around the globe. This is the time that fill with lights and music, with nieces and nephews, with cookies and candies. However, one of the crucial parts of the Lunar New Year’s preparations is the numerous snacks and well-favored items which are called CNY goodies, prepared to be given to friends and loved ones.
These tasty delights include both the regular, old-fashioned new year confections as well as more contemporary novelties and are believed to help boost one’s luck, wealth and success in the new year. Well, for those of you who want to give some cheer into your CNY, here are some ways on how to start with sampling some of the greatest CNY goodies.
1. Nian Gao (年糕)
Nian Gao, which also translates to Chinese New Year pudding or sticky rice cake, arguably faces constant competition with some of the other well-liked CNY goodies but certainly tops the list. Traditional and made from glutinous rice flour, sugar and sometimes peanuts or red beans this sweet cake is not only tasty but has symbolic overtones as well. The name Nian Gao is to play upon the notion that the word means ‘higher year” or ‘year high’ which is a good sign to do so especially in the New Year.
2. Peanut Cookies (花生酥)
It is absolutely unimagined to prepare CNY without the help of Peanut Cookies, which have crispy-sweet taste and are completely addictive. Constructed on a base of flour and sugar with roasted peanuts included, these cookies are delicious, simple to prepare and associated with the new year blessings. It has been named thus because their shape is like round Chinese coins, which are associated with wealth and riches. The colours red and green on the cookies also symbolise happiness and joy.
3. Pineapple Tarts (凤梨酥)
To me, the Pineapple Tart is one snack which helps to represent the taste of the Lunar New Year most accurately. These layers of flaky, buttery pastries that come with a filling of sweet pineapple preserve have been starring at every Chinese home during CNY. The tart is gold-coloured and shaped like the legendary Chinese phoenix that symbolizes the upliftment of happiness, success and regeneration.
4. Love Letters (吉寿不老)
It is a popular snack food, also with a rather suggestive name of “love letters”, which belongs to the Chinese culture of the Southeast Asia diaspora: The name of love letters is derived from the shape of the cookie as they resemble folded letters in terms of their length and slenderness. It is a cookie recipe that is made with flour butter and sugar and baked to a golden brown color and served best with tea. In their sphere, they symbol such things as love, which lasts in a lifetime, and fortune, which is a Review of luck.
5. Love Spoons (情侣勺)
Love Spoons are as inspiring as a heartwarming treat and it is known that this tradition existed even in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Originally formed as small and fragile sculptures from relevant tree, such forms represent not only tasty sweet, but love, marriage and happiness in Chinese culture. It is common to give them to someone as a gift which makes them ideal CNY gifts to take to friends and relatives’ homes.
6. Longevity Noodles (百年寿司)
Lunar New Year is not complete without Longevity Noodles signifying long life and prosperity. : These black and white noodles are prepared using wheat flour and water, and people assume that eating the noodles will make them happy, and will have good luck. The noodles are mostly taken in soupy form with such ingredients as seaweed, mushrooms, meat and this makes it a special dish of the festive season.
7. Eight Treasures Rice Pudding
The second scrumptious dish good for everybody especially during CNY is the Eight Treasures Rice Pudding. This delicious sweet treat includes colorful components like glutinous rice, red beans, carrots and peanuts and many other to symbolize prosperity. The colors are striking and bright and not only does the food look good, but also most taste good as well.
8. Tang Yuan (汤圆)
Tang Yuan is also called rice balls sweets that belong to the traditional Chinese cuisine with great preference during the Lunar New Year. These typically, are blocks of glutinous rice flour dumplings filled with sesame paste or red bean paste and each signifies family togetherness. Tang Yuan is normally boiled in osmanthus syrup or ginger sweet soup So, it is a delightful to eat when the weather is cold during the festive season.
Conclusion
The Lunar New Year is a time to indulge in traditional CNY goodies that bring luck, happiness, and prosperity to the year ahead. Whether it’s the timeless Nian Gao, a symbol of rising fortunes, or the delicate Love Letters cherished by the younger generation, each CNY goodie carries its own unique charm and irresistible flavor. These traditional Chinese New Year treats not only delight the taste buds but also symbolize heartfelt wishes for abundance and joy.
If you’re looking to savor these sweet delights or want to gift a box of prosperity and good fortune to your friends and loved ones, these ever-popular Chinese New Year delicacies are an absolute must. So, gather your friends and family, relish these delectable treasures, and welcome the Lunar New Year with a spread full of happiness, tradition, and prosperous beginnings.