It’s mooncake season

The Mandarin Oriental Manila has always marked memorable festivals with appropriate events. This time of the year, it is mooncake season, celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival which originated thousands of years ago in China.

The hotel has just launched a selection of mooncakes to mark the occasion.

Mooncakes evolved when farmers in old China commemorated good harvest by holding a mid-autumn festival, also called August Moon Festival, held in the middle of the eighth month when the moon is at its brightest. Set on a full moon night during the Yuan Dynasty (960 -1280 AD), the merry making originally coincided with the rebels’ fight against invaders. This is the reason why the mooncakes have those symbols on the crust, which detailed their attack strategies.

Then the people related the vicissitudes of life to the changing face of the moon. During the full moon, reunions are held while colorful lanterns are paraded.

The mooncake is by tradition round in shape, symbolizing best wishes for family reunion, and filled with a variety of food elements. Original mooncakes were filled with taro, even snails and sweet basil. Others are seeds and paste, that include melon seeds, bean paste, orange peel, lotus, almonds, minced meat, among others. A golden yolk from a salted duck egg is put in the center. The crust, smooth as silk, is decorated with symbols of the festival.

By tradition 13 pieces are given, for each month of the year with one intercalary month. It is the counterpart of plum pudding and fruit cakes of English holidays.

The Mandarin Oriental collection is composed of signature gourmet oven-baked and snow-skinned mooncakes. They have 16 classic and innovative varieties, making them a rich treat as gifts during the season. There are three choices – the Oriental Luxurious consisting of four large cakes, each complimented with a pouch of Green and Jasmine Tea; the Mandarin De Luxe of eight minis, and the Tin Hau Happiness. It is interesting that in addition to traditional filling, the chefs at the hotel have added new elements – home-made milk custard, imported chestnut paste, and even Grand Marnier chocolate.

Delivery for bulk orders of P20,000 worth will be free in selected areas. Discounts are also given for 30 or more Oriental and Mandarin De Luxe boxes. They are on sale from now until Sept. 19 at the hotel in Makati, at the newly opened hotel outlet on the Bridgeway in Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, and at Tin Hau. Call 750-8888 extension 2633; 857-4713 and 0917-835-3663.          

The Mama Sita Foundation Inc. for Mama Sita’s Kababayan Inc. has launched a Kusina Photo Gallery to celebrate Bulacan Foundation Day at Casa Real, Paseo del Congreso in Malolos, Bulacan.  

Have a joyous family Sunday!

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