Mooncakes are big business for the Mid-Autumn Festival. In southwest China's Chengdu, a Mooncake Festival is showcasing bold innovations in flavors and packaging. Let's join our reporter Gong Ming for a taste.
GONG MING Chengdu, Sichuan Province "At this fair, over 200 companies from more than 10 provinces, are showcasing mooncakes with diverse flavors. Some have taken bold steps in blending traditional and modern tastes, making this the perfect place for consumers to find their ideal mooncake."
Strolling through the exhibits, a wide variety of mooncakes attracts a steady stream of consumers. Many mooncake packages combine traditional cultural aesthetics with contemporary fashion elements. Traditional flavors like white lotus and salted egg yolk remain popular among elderly customers, while younger consumers tend to try new flavors.
MS. HU Consumer "We have a little one at home who prefers mooncakes with a thinner crust, something different from the traditional ones, with various fruit flavors. I also bought some freshly baked ones with fillings that include edible flowers. I'm excited for everyone to try these during this Mid-Autumn Festival to really get into the festive spirit."
Mooncake vendors also attract consumers by using unique ingredients and baking techniques. The filling is the "soul" of the mooncake. This particular mooncake, filled with high-quality ham from Yunnan and baked fresh on-site, has been incredibly popular, leading to long lines.
MR. YAO Consumer "The first time I came here a few days ago, I saw a lot of customers and long lines, so I thought I'd give it a try. After tasting the food, I was really impressed with the flavor, and my family loved it too. Plus, the prices are very reasonable, which is why I'm here for a second time."
XU ZHEN Exhibitor "This filling is our secret recipe, made with authentic ham from Xuanwei in Yunnan Province, and it's top-notch quality. In the past few days, our daily sales have more than tripled compared to usual, and every day, people are lining up for about two to three hours to get these freshly baked ham mooncakes."
A focus on taste and fresh ingredients is becoming a new trend for those pursuing a healthy lifestyle when choosing mooncakes. This shift is driving companies to innovate and offer a range of options.
Gong Ming, CGTN, Chengdu, Sichuan Province.