As Asia prepares to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival on October 6, a unique culinary tradition continues to thrive in Huairen City, Shanxi Province. The Tang Ganlu hollow mooncake – a delicacy with roots stretching back a millennium – remains a cherished symbol of cultural preservation and culinary innovation.
Unlike conventional mooncakes, these palm-sized pastries feature a naturally formed hollow core created through precise temperature control during baking. Local bakers attribute the treat's enduring popularity to its signature crispy shell and sweet brown sugar filling, with the name Tang Ganlu (literally 'sugar nectar') reflecting both its sweetness and furnace-like shape.
"The hollow center represents completeness in Chinese philosophy," explains third-generation baker Li Wei, whose family has maintained traditional baking methods. "As heat expands the dough, it creates this magical empty space – a reminder that what appears absent can hold deep meaning."
This year's festival sees increased interest in the ancient recipe from both domestic tourists and overseas buyers, with many young Chinese embracing the pastry as a tangible connection to their cultural roots. Local authorities have implemented measures to protect the traditional production methods while meeting modern food safety standards.
The survival of this culinary tradition offers insights into China's evolving cultural landscape, where ancient practices coexist with contemporary lifestyles. As families gather under the harvest moon, the humble hollow mooncake continues to bridge generations through shared taste and tradition.
