Elm Seed Cake

Elm Seed Cake

　　Elm seeds are the fruit of the elm tree, named for their tender green, flat, coin-like shape. Steaming them with flour creates what’s known as elm seed cake. This cake features a mix of white and green hues, with a sweet and pleasant taste. In the past, every spring when the elm seeds ripened, wealthy families considered it a delight to enjoy elm seed cake. For ordinary people, eating a meal of “something fresh” often meant steaming elm seed-filled cornmeal buns, also seeking the auspicious symbolism of having “extra money” (a play on words with “elm seeds” sounding like “extra money”). This cake is mostly homemade and is not commonly found for sale in markets.