Here in the Kingdom, it is mooncake season.
In Thai language, khanom yue bing, the confection represents abundance, wholeness, and fulfillment.
For three millennia, Chinese people have baked this traditional dessert to celebrate the autumn harvest. This year, September 21 marks the Full Moon of the eighth Chinese lunar month, or Harvest Moon.
From a Bangkok Post article by Karnjana Karnjanatawe [Sept. 8, 2021]:
“Chinese courtiers and commoners alike held . . . celebrations to admire the Moon and also made mooncakes in a round shape to represent the Harvest Moon. The circular shape is also a symbol of unity. The mooncake and its festival is a reminder for Chinese people to return home to share and eat with their families.”
Many of the major Bangkok hotels and restaurants have their own signature mooncake flavors and special packaging, sometimes quite elaborate. People give them as gifts, although from the Western standpoint, it appears to be a bit like exchanging fruitcakes at Christmas.
These sets range from under 300 baht (around $10) to a whopping 2,200 baht (approx. $68), and include traditional ingredients such as salted egg yolk and white lotus seed, as well as more exotic creations involving Monthong durian, organic egg custard, malted chocolate, and purple sweet potato. I tried one from the 7-11 that cost 20 baht. Did not finish it. A little dry. Like a fruitcake.
What would be the flavors of a Josephmoooncake? Just wondering.