The Historical Background of Pastry Types

The culture of pastries has a long and ancient history, dating back thousands of years. In ancient times, pastries were primarily made from grains such as rice, wheat, and millet, and they were prepared through methods like steaming, frying, and deep frying. Over time, the variety of pastries has grown, and different regions have developed their own distinctive local pastries.

Traditional Pastry Making

The craft of making traditional Chinese pastries is a complex one, often requiring strict recipes and meticulous craftsmanship. These pastries typically use high-quality ingredients and must pay attention to the details of the preparation process. Here are the general steps in making pastries:

1. Select High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of pastries is directly linked to the quality of the ingredients used. High-quality rice, wheat flour, and fresh fruits are key to making delicious pastries.
2. Mixing and Stirring: Depending on the recipe, ingredients are mixed and stirred to form a paste, ensuring even distribution of all components.
3. Fermentation or Leavening: Some pastries require fermentation, while others expand through steaming to achieve a soft texture.

   

   糕點製作

4. Steaming, Frying, or Deep Frying: Depending on the type of pastry, it is either steamed, pan-fried, or deep-fried to achieve different textures and appearances.
5. Adding Decorations: Decoration is an essential part of pastry artistry and can include flowers, nuts, sugar glaze, and more to enhance visual appeal.

Classification of Pastry Types

Chinese pastries come in a wide variety, each with its own unique characteristics and flavors. Here are some common traditional Chinese pastries to explore:

1. Cake Types
   • Steamed Cakes: Made primarily from rice flour with added sugar and other ingredients, steamed to create items like lotus leaf cake and radish cake.
   • Fried Cakes: Cake batter is deep-fried until golden and crispy, including items like youtiao (fried dough sticks) and sesame balls.
   • Rolled Cakes: Batter is poured onto a flat pan, baked into thin sheets, filled with various fillings, and rolled up to create items like egg yolk roll and scallion pancake roll.
2. Pastry Types
   • Pineapple Cake: Featuring pineapple filling encased in a crispy pastry shell, sweet but not overly so.
   • Wife Cake (Lao Po Bing): A traditional Shanxi pastry, crispy and delicious, typically filled with red bean or lotus seed paste.

     

3. Dim Sum
   • Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings): Famous Shanghai dumplings filled with meat and a savory soup, known for their thin skin and juicy filling.
   • Dragon’s Beard Candy: Made from spun sugar, resembling dragon’s beard, and known for its rich rock sugar flavor.
4. Zongzi Types
   • Zongzi: A traditional food for the Dragon Boat Festival, made by wrapping glutinous rice and various fillings in bamboo leaves, with both sweet and savory varieties.

Regional Specialties

Chinese pastries from different regions have unique characteristics that reflect local cultures and traditions. Here are representative examples from various regions:

1. Chaozhou and Shantou in Guangdong

1. • Chaozhou Gongfu Cake: Made with lychee flower powder, red dates, and peanuts, offering a dense and sweet flavor.
   • Cantonese-Style Mooncakes: Unlike traditional mooncakes, Cantonese-style mooncakes have a flaky crust and diverse fillings, including meat, nuts, and egg yolks.

     

1. Fujian

1. • Osmanthus Cake: Made with glutinous rice and osmanthus flowers, providing a fragrant and sweet taste.
   • Taro Cake: Made with fresh taro, glutinous rice flour, and coconut milk, resulting in a dense and smooth texture.

1. Jiangnan Region

1. • Hangzhou Sudi Cake: A specialty from Hangzhou, featuring a crispy outer layer and a sweet and flaky filling, leaving a memorable taste.

Cultural Significance of Pastries

Chinese pastries hold deep cultural significance beyond being food. They are often associated with festivals and traditional holidays, symbolizing celebrations and unity:

• During Chinese New Year, people enjoy nian gao (sticky rice cake) as a symbol of a sweet and prosperous life in the coming year.
• On the Dragon Boat Festival, people eat zongzi to commemorate the heroic poet Qu Yuan.
• During the Mid-Autumn Festival, sharing mooncakes symbolizes reunion and harmony.

Pastries play an essential role in traditional Chinese festivals, connecting people with their emotions and cultural roots.

The Future of Pastry Types

With societal developments and evolving tastes, pastries are continuously innovating and evolving. Traditional pastry-making techniques are merging with modern technology to introduce new pastry products that cater to the needs of contemporary consumers. Simultaneously, Chinese pastry culture is gradually gaining international popularity, enjoyed by an increasing number of foreign friends.

FAQs

How many types of pastries are there? Currently, there is a wide variety of pastry types, too numerous to count. Each region has its unique pastries, and with ongoing innovation, new pastry varieties continue to emerge, totaling in the hundreds.

How can I choose high-quality pastries? Selecting high-quality pastries involves a few considerations. First, choose a reputable pastry shop. Second, pay attention to the ingredients and production methods used for the pastries. Lastly, select pastries based on your personal taste and preferences.

What are the best ways to store pastries? In general, pastries should be stored in a dry and cool place, away from direct sunlight. If the pastries need refrigeration, they should be kept in the refrigerator.

Are pastries suitable for everyone to eat? Most pastries are suitable for the general population. However, if you have specific dietary restrictions or food allergies, it’s advisable to check the ingredients and components of the pastries before consumption.

How important is pastry culture in China? Pastry culture holds a significant place in China; it represents not just food but also an integral part of Chinese traditional culture. Pastries are often associated with festivals and traditional holidays and play an essential role in these celebrations.

Which Chinese festivals feature pastries prominently? Chinese festivals where pastries play a significant role include Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the Mid-Autumn Festival. During these festivals, people indulge in various types of pastries, symbolizing good luck and well wishes.

Conclusion

The diversity and cultural significance of pastry types make them treasures in Chinese culinary culture. Whether traditional or innovative, pastries showcase the Chinese people’s love and pursuit of good food. Through this article, we hope you have gained a deeper understanding of pastry varieties and look forward to you savoring their deliciousness and cultural charm.

Additionally, pastries, especially pineapple cakes, are part of Taiwan’s top 10 must-try snacks. You can learn more by clicking the link.

If you are interested in importing pineapple cakes for sale domestically, you can consider this salted egg yolk pineapple cake or contact us for the latest information.