Class Description

In this class, guest chef Julia will teach the method of moon cake making using the traditional technique. We will make and taste the moon cake created with two common types of stuff: one being the "Five Nuts", which contains nuts and fruits, and the second made from red bean paste which is widely eaten. We will explore the method of using traditional mold and the baking process. The mooncake is widely used in China during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which celebrates the fullness of life at the time of the full moon in autumn. The making of Chinese mooncake dates back thousands of years. The celebration of the moon-related rituals started way back during the Zhou Dynasty, about 3000 ago. The moon cakes were put into practical use during the Tang Dynasty, year 600 AD, in which the country celebrated the victory of the returning soldier with pretty flower cakes. It then became widely popular in the form of folk tradition after the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, which is about 800 years to 500 years ago. The moon cake is commonly made from flour as a bread shell and the inside is often filled with sweet stuff produced from plants and fruits and nuts. The shapes and relief images become widely varied and the content of the shell and stuffing indie the cakes also varies in different regions. There are many shapes, textures, content, and tastes, each vary with the geographical region in which it is produced. The moon cake is often used as a gift which is given to families and friends. It becomes a form of art which displays craftsmanship and creativity. It is a very delicate handmade Chinese pastry which can be learnt with some experience. I treat pastry making as an art form and would like to share this with our friends to pass on this ancient tradition wide and far. This class occurs close to the time of the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it is the perfect time for a treat.