Traditional mooncake craftsmanship thrives with modern electric baking technology

When Gao Shangjun, the seventh-generation heir of Gao's Mooncakes, opened the electric oven, the sweet aroma of mooncakes filled the air.

The pastry chef skillfully combines flour, oil, and water, kneading the dough until it is as smooth as jade. After rolling the dough, adding the filling, and shaping, the mooncakes are placed in the electric oven. In just 15 minutes, the golden, flaky mooncakes emerge, rich in fruity aroma and delightful in taste.

With strict quality control, Gao's mooncakes are widely recognized for their quality and reliability. The shop in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region's Huo Cheng county bustled with activity during the just-passed Mid-Autumn Festival.

Since 2016, Gao's Mooncakes has transitioned from coal-fired to electric baking, starting with a single-layer electric oven. After eight years, Gao said the shop has upgraded to a three-layer electric oven, saving both labor and resources. Previously, baking required an experienced master to ensure even heating.

Now, with electric ovens, everyone can become a master of fire control, producing a batch of perfectly golden, fragrant mooncakes in just 15 minutes, with more precise baking and a cleaner, brighter workspace.

"During the Mid-Autumn Festival, many people bought mooncakes, and the local power supply company provided a stable guarantee in terms of electricity," Gao said.

Gao's Mooncakes and reliable electricity come together to create a harmonious chapter of traditional food and modern development, he added.

It is important to ensure high-quality and efficient electricity for the craftsmanship and heritage of traditional cuisine, continually revitalizing these culinary treasures, said State Grid Yili Yihe Power Co, adding that it will add five transformers, renovate four low-voltage areas, and update 9.31 kilometers of power lines this year.