Osmanthus Mooncakes

Osmanthus Mooncakes

　　The bright moon carries longing, and mooncakes convey familial love. Whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, mooncakes flood the markets and malls, but for residents of the ancient city of Langzhong, their favorite lies in the locally made osmanthus mooncakes. For many years, these mooncakes have accompanied the people of Langzhong through one Mid-Autumn Festival after another.

　　Also known as halal mooncakes, Langzhong’s osmanthus mooncakes have a history of over 300 years. These mooncakes use premium ingredients and involve a relatively complex production process. Key ingredients include flour, candied fruits, vegetable oil, white sugar, walnut kernels, winter melon candy, peanut kernels, sesame seeds, and osmanthus candy. Ingredients like osmanthus candy, winter melon candy, and orange cake candy are all handmade by the ingenious locals—no artificial colors or preservatives are added. When making the dough, no water is used; instead, a certain proportion of pre-processed cooked vegetable oil is added. In the past, the dough was mixed by hand, but now machines have greatly reduced labor. After mixing the dough, the crust is prepared, followed by filling, and then the mooncakes are baked in an oven. This method produces mooncakes with a golden, shiny color, a flaky crust, soft filling, sweet yet not greasy taste, and a deliciously crisp texture.

　　Over the years, osmanthus mooncakes have remained hugely popular in Langzhong, never losing their appeal. Locals enjoy them not only during the Mid-Autumn Festival but also in everyday life—even having one with congee for breakfast is considered a real treat. Nowadays, Langzhong’s osmanthus mooncakes are in demand even beyond the province. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, many residents line up to buy them, creating a lively scene. With the advent of express delivery, these mooncakes are now shipped to places like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Ningxia, with annual production exceeding 300,000 pieces.

　　During the Mid-Autumn Festival, osmanthus mooncakes are commonly seen in the hands or on the bicycles of Langzhong residents—they make the perfect gift for family and friends.