Taro Cake

Taro Cake

　　Taro Cake

　　Taro Cake is a local festive snack, also commonly known as Seven-Son Cake or Puppy Cake. Interestingly, its shape resembles that of a young boy’s genitalia, symbolizing the blessing of having a male heir and bringing prosperity. It is typically eaten to celebrate the birth of a baby boy for good luck, and is also made during a child’s full moon celebration or lantern procession. The preparation is quite simple: glutinous rice flour is steamed with water, then the filling is made, which includes sesame, ground peanuts, white or brown sugar. A unique feature of the filling is that it contains two whole peanuts.

　　At some families’ full moon or lantern feast banquets, the hosts will first offer guests Taro Cake to share in the joy of the new baby boy. Guests will often take some Taro Cake home when leaving.