Time for traditional treats

Tangyuan, or yuanxiao, as they are called in the north, are walnut-shaped dumplings made from glutinous rice flour with many types of filling. [Photo/icpress]

Valentine's Day this year coincides with Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Tangyuan, or yuanxiao, with rose petal jam and chocolate fillings have become very popular among the customers.

Lantern Festival is one of the many traditional Spring Festival customs that has to do with eating.

Tangyuan, or yuanxiao, as they are called in the north, are walnut-shaped dumplings made from glutinous rice flour with many types of filling. The wide variety of flavors reflects the diversities of region to region, province to province and village to village.

Regardless of these multiple styles and flavors, yuanxiao is said to have made its debut during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD 317-420), becoming popular during the Tang and Song dynasties (seventh to 13th centuries).

In ancient times, this dessert was known as rutang yuanzi, or sweetened glutinous rice flour dumplings, but these dumplings were later named after the festival itself - yuanxiao.