Introduction

The Chinese festival, Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year, Spring Festival or even Winter Solstice Festival, is comprised the most important event in China. This is one the most important origin-associates of it and the several customs and traditions with which the occasion is welcomed. The very important thing during the Chinese New Year celebration is the visibility of numerous food specialties, or the symbolic sweetmeats that signify a good year for harvest and an auspicious year to come. In this article I will discuss some of the CNY traditional delicacies that cannot be missing from the festive season.

1. Nian Gao (Year Cake)

Nian Gao, or Year Cake, is one traditional dessert originally from China, made from starchy ingredient – glutinous rice flour and sugar with occasional additives like peanuts or red beans. The cake is generally in cylindrical or square shape which is closely associated with height or tallness because the Chinese word ‘gao' used spells both cake and height. Nian Gao is consumed especially during the Chinese New Year because it is believed about consumption would result to an improved position in work places or even a change of job.

2. Tang Yuan or the Sweet Rice Dumplings

Tang Yuan also known as yuanxiao is a special dessert that is taken during Chinese New Year and lantern festival that is celebrated on fifteenth day of the New Year. These sweet rice dumplings are the type of wrappers made from glutinous rice flour and could have different relay fillings like sweet black sesame paste, red bean paste or lotus seed paste. Tang Yuan represents joy and unity of the family because they are round balls, which are put into boiling syrup that also symbolizes the strong unite of the family.

3. Pineapple Tarts

Pineapple tarts have become one of the most widely recognized products during the Lunar New Year celebration among Chinese bakeries. These tarts consist of a sweet and crumbly buttery pastry and tangy pineapple preserves so there is a combination of sweet and a little tart. The pineapple symbolises richness and success and because the tart is golden, it is associated with affluence and fortune. Sweet pineapple tarts biscuits are intended to be given as gifts between friends and families, wishing all a good year in the coming year.

4. Love Letters (Kueh Bangkit)

Love Letters or Kueh Bangkit is one of the traditional biscuits origination from the country of Malaysia and is produced from grated coconut and flour. They are crispy, delicate and are quite flaky, and in order to maintain the name of love letters these are shaped like ancient letters. Like most forms of Kueh, Kueh Bangkit is associated with plenty, and is commonly eaten during Chinese New Year celebrations. It is usually packed in eye-catching box or bag and consumed with friends and loved ones in order to enhance bond.

5. Ang Ku Kueh (Red Tortoise Cake)

Ang Ku Kueh or the Red Tortoise Cake is a typical snack traditionally served during the Chinese New Year celebration. These are round, small colored rice cakes made from rice flour with a sweet red bean or peanut paste; they're dyed red which symbolizes prosperity. The shape of the Ang Ku Kueh resembles a tortoise shell too and according to the Chinese culture, tortoise symbolizes long life, strength and prosperity. Medically, it is consumed as tea to help treat hangovers and it is popularly given during the Lunar New Year to symbolize a long life.

6. Lotuses Seed Pudding

Another traditional Chinese New Year dessert is named lotus seed pudding. Fluffy, tender, delicate and very tender, this dessert is made by first boiling the lotus seeds, soaking them in water, mixing them with sugar and starch and then being allowed to set. From the Chinese culture perspective, louts seed is associated with fertility, growth and prosperity. New Year lotus seed pudding is a symbol that it will result into proper harvest, health and a full life.

7. Sesame Seed Balls

They are called Sesame Seed Balls, a traditional Chinese snack made of small round balls made of thick sweet dough encapsulating a black sweet sesame paste that's coated with sesame seeds that are crushed till they are thin like-scripts. It is a favoured snack during Chinese New Year because the name of the snack means good blessings in Chinese. Crisp sesame treats are favorites for Chinese New Year gift giving and eating, as the bitter seeds are considered to bring good fortune with their sweet taste.

Conclusion

Comparatively, limited attention has been given by writers, columnists, and media sources to the rich table of snacks and sweets that are the heart of Chinese New Year celebrations. From the sweet Nian Gao and Tang Yuan to the harmoniously symbolic pineapple tarts and the long-lasting Ang Ku Kueh, each of these CNY goodies represents good wishes and blessings for a successful, prosperous year ahead. These treats aren't just delicious; they're cherished traditions passed down through generations, enriching Chinese culture and adding depth to the festive CNY meal.