Photography by Matyen

Chinese New Year as a rule is assumed to be the major holiday in China. A lot of time and energy is invested in preparations a week before the celebration – including thorough cleaning of the house, placing lucky charms and decorative items all over the place, buying symbolic foodstuffs and snacks to be consumed during the festive period. These traditional minor snacks and appetizers do not only taste good but also have significance behind them and are expected to bring in luck, fortune and auspicious blessings for the new year.

Pineapple Tarts

The pineapple tart is probably one of the most loved Chinese New Year cookies. TwTC has a crumbly, buttery cookie base with a layer of chunky pineapple jam filling that is so sweet but has a slightly tangy note to it which reminded me of the pineapple tart a bit by its overall look that was shaped like a golden ingot, which is considered as a symbol of prosperity in Chinese culture. The pineapple itself has a rich symbolism in Chinese culture – the name for pineapple, ‘ong lai’ sounds very much like the Chinese phrase which would translates to something like ‘prosperity has arrived’, meaning that it connotes the arrival of new prosperity, new opportunities, new good things. Pineapple tart is particularly enjoyable as a traditional New Year snack for visiting guests as consumers invite sweet end-bring new luck in the new year.

Nian Gao (Sticky Rice Cake)

One of the most traditional of all Chinese New Year treats is nian gao, which translates into New Year rice cake, and it’s sticky and chewy and it’s usually made from glutinous rice flour, brown sugar, and oil. Kneaded dough is specific in its texture and fortunate sweetness that signifies good and sweet life in the New year. In some districts of China the pronunciation of “nian gao” is very akin to “higher year” or literally “year high” which is synonymous to prosperity and success in the coming year. This property also has good connotations as Chinesepeople associate sticking and sticking together with prosperity – that is why sweet sticky things are consumed wth great pleasure during CNY.

The nian gao is cylindrical and made to be golden-brown; its cross-sectional shape is rectangular; these are expectations for even more prosperity in the new year, of course, its shape relates to the symbolic aspect where it is associated with gold bars. Both nian gao and dousa are placed by many Chinese families as an offering to the Kitchen God one week before CNY so that the god is blessed and would report favorable things about the family to the Jade Emperor up in heaven.

Bak Kwa (BBQ Pork Slices)

Another famous crunchy CNY snack that is considered the Chinese-style BBQ pork slices or Bak kwa has two varieties, sweet and savory. It is commonly consumed from the first day of Chinese New Year up to the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. Similar to this pork is considered to be advance in Chinese culture and therefore eating bak kwa signifies celebrating and beginning the new year well endowed with expectations of prosperity in the new year. The red-hued slices of bak kwa also look like hong bao, the “lucky money” that the married people hand out to the younger and unmarried during Chinese New Year to wish for new year’s luck, prosperity, and wealth.

Candied mandarines and tangerines
Mandarins and tangerines have golden-orange skin and round shape symbolizing gold and fullness of money for wealth in the New Year. Their Chinese names also resemble lucky and wealth eating words in Chinese. The fruits also signify long life and every division of the fruits as representing generations of one’s family and their hope of healthy and happy coexistence as one family. Members of the Chinese family offer trays of fresh oranges and tangerines to their families and friends in the plural, and fresh oranges and tangerines are popular ornaments and supporting items in Chinese New Year.

Seeds and Nuts

Different types of small-end snacks such as dry fruits, nuts, shelled seeds and most of all biscuit with sesame or beef jerky are quite more in trend during CNY because of the sound they make when crunched or bitten. The fruit of a melon stands for’ “he who has many sons and grandsons”. Actually, the walnut is a symbol of intelligence and good decisions to be made in the future. Peons imply longevity, with a desire for the plenty of healthy years for a long time having basic pleasures of life. Dried red dates symbolize a sweet date that never goes bad as people wish to have more years of sweet times with family and friends in the new year.

Green Goodies

Green snacks are cultural novelty treats during Chinese New Year celebration. For the upcoming spring season, they regarded green vegetables such as bok choy to symbolize rebirth, new growth, youth and vitality. Green tea signifies stability, wished for a harmonize in relationships. Other products infused with matcha also became popular because of its bright green hue, and to welcome spring, rebirth and beginnings.

The littleness of the CNY goodies is fascinating as they offer wonderful tastes and an interesting texture. However, going beyond great looks and delicious tastes, these holiday treats are essential predicated on hundreds of years of Chinese values and customs. It is gently expressed from the Chinese people’s optimistic blessings of good things, including luck, joy, reunion, prosperity, and brand new hope as they look forward to an auspicious year ahead.