Guide to Mid-Autumn Festival Mooncakes 2024

In the West, autumn is typically connected to falling leaves in shades of orange, pumpkins and a mug of something warm, but for many Southeast Asian countries, autumn is connected to a special time in the Chinese calendar - the Mid-Autumn Festival! 

Many countries, including China, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, celebrate variations of this seasonal festival. It is a time for families and friends to come together, admire the full moon, and enjoy various festive activities. Each year, it takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. This year, the event falls on Tuesday 17th September 2024.

Otherwise known as the Harvest Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, food plays a key role in the celebrations, with mooncakes being the star of the show. We take a look at why mooncakes are so significant during this event and how you can enjoy mooncakes in the UK.

What Are Mooncakes?

A traditional mooncake is a round pastry that’s densely filled with sweet red bean paste or lotus seed paste. The round shape is said to represent unity and completeness and is also reminiscent of the full moon.

Mooncakes are an incredibly popular item for the Mid-Autumn Festival and can now be found with a wide variety of fillings, with chocolate mooncakes and custard mooncakes being tasty favourites. One of the most renowned brands for mooncakes is Wing Wah.

The pastry on the top of a mooncake is decorated with an intricate pattern and message that wishes the person eating it longevity or harmony. Common patterns include depictions of the moon or flowers and rabbits, which also symbolise the moon.

Traditionally, mooncakes were used as offerings to the moon and symbolised family unity and togetherness. They are often given as gifts between family members and friends as a way of expressing good wishes and blessings for the future.

Over the years, mooncakes have evolved, and now there are many creative and modern variations available, including square-shaped mooncakes, snow skin mooncakes, ice cream mooncakes, and even savoury mooncakes with meat or seafood fillings.

What is in a Mooncake Made From?

The outer crust of a mooncake is typically made from a thin layer of pastry dough, which can be chewy or flaky, depending on the type of mooncake. They have a rich and dense filling that is often made from lotus seed paste, sweet bean paste, or various types of nuts and seeds.

Mooncakes may contain a salted egg yolk in the centre, symbolising the full moon and providing a contrasting savoury element to the sweet filling. The significance of mooncakes goes beyond their taste, as they also hold cultural and symbolic value during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The filling of a mooncake can vary depending on regional preferences and individual recipes, but here are some common ingredients:

• Lotus Seed Paste: This is one of the most popular and traditional fillings. It is made from lotus seeds that are cooked and mashed into a sweet paste.

• Red Bean Paste: Another common filling is sweet red bean paste, which is made from cooked and sweetened red beans.

• Black Sesame Paste: A rich and nutty filling made from ground black sesame seeds and sweetener.

• Five Kernel: This is a mixture of various nuts and seeds, such as walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and melon seeds.

• Jujube Paste: A filling made from sweetened jujube fruits (also known as red dates).

• Fruit: Some mooncakes have fruit fillings, such as dried apricots or melon.

• Meat: In some regions, you might find mooncakes with savoury fillings, such as pork or duck.