Sweet Endings to Spring Festival Celebrations
As Lunar New Year festivities conclude, communities across China gather to mark the Lantern Festival with glowing displays and sticky rice balls – a dessert known locally as tangyuan. These glutinous orbs, filled with sweet sesame paste or red bean, symbolize family unity and prosperity through their round shape.
Street vendors in Beijing and Shanghai report selling 40% more tangyuan during this period compared to regular months. Food historians trace the tradition back 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty, where it began as a tribute to celestial deities.
Modern Twists on Ancient Recipes
Young chefs are reinventing the classic treat with vegan fillings and low-sugar options. Social media platforms show #LanternFestival posts exceeding 18 million views globally, blending food culture with digital storytelling. 'It's not just dessert – it's edible philosophy,' notes CGTN reporter Lyne Lin.
Travelers visiting the Chinese mainland this week can join community lantern-making workshops in Hangzhou or taste rainbow-colored tangyuan in Guangzhou. The festival highlights how culinary traditions continue forging cross-cultural connections worldwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
