Asian households from the US to China and Vietnam rejoice the Lunar New 12 months on Sunday, January 22.
There are new garments, large meals, and the standard crimson envelopes of cash for kids. The crimson signifies good luck. There are additionally loads of tasty, candy desserts to have with tea all through the day.
In China
In Beijing, China, individuals have been lining up outdoors Daoxiangcun, one of many metropolis’s best-known bakeries, for New 12 months dessert items. A number of the treats are formed like a rabbit, the Chinese language zodiac animal of honor for 2023.
In central China’s Shanxi province, Lexi Li waited for seven hours within the chilly climate to purchase baked items. Li informed the Related Press, “I don’t actually like desserts and pastries, however I simply need to deliver one thing dwelling as a present.”
Lunar New 12 months desserts in China are normally based mostly in rice or flour. They embody rice balls, sesame balls, almond cookies, candied lotus seeds and steamed truffles known as fats goh.
The preferred dessert is nian gao, constructed from rice flour together with taro, date fruit, jujube and crimson bean paste. Nian gao appears like “increased yr” in Chinese language, which means a extra profitable yr forward. It additionally expresses needs for kids to develop taller.
Siu Yan Ho is a Hong Kong-based knowledgeable in Chinese language meals tradition. Siu mentioned, “Meals is reminiscence, and this reminiscence is related with festivals.”
In Vietnam
Vietnam is celebrating the 12 months of the Cat. The normal sweets for such celebration differ by space. Vietnamese individuals eat nian gao, which they name banh to. Additionally they eat che kho gao nep, a pudding made with sticky rice and a combination of water, ginger and both sugar or molasses. Different treats embody che kho dau xanh — a bean pudding made with coconut milk and sugar — and banh tet chuoi, a rice cake with bananas.
“On Lunar New 12 months, for 3 days you go go to household, mates and lecturers,” mentioned Linh Trinh, a Vietnamese meals historian learning on the College of Michigan. “So all people has to retailer numerous snacks of their home for individuals to return go to and have tea. It turns into just like the satisfaction of the family to serve their conventional snacks.”
In the US
Kat Lieu, who’s half Chinese language and half Vietnamese, now lives in Seattle, Washington. She remembers that her mom would make steamed nian gao for breakfast each Lunar New 12 months. Lieu plans to do the identical this yr for her nine-year-old son.
“I’m additionally going to make the steamed nian gao and issues like that, and attempt to have him recognize it extra, too,” she mentioned.
Kelson Herman lives in San Francisco, California. She made bread for the Lunar New 12 months. She topped the bread with a picture of a Miffy, a well-known rabbit from a Dutch kids’s guide.
In Queens, New York, Karen Chin made a two-level cake frosted in coconut buttercream topped with a white chocolate rabbit. “I informed my grandma that I used to be going to make a cake. And she or he’s like, ‘Don’t make it too difficult,’” Chin mentioned, smiling.
American corporations are additionally moving into the Lunar New 12 months spirit. Cupcake firm Sprinkles is promoting crimson velvet cupcakes with an almond cookie crust and almond cream cheese frosting. And, at Disney California Journey Park, friends can order milk tea cheesecake with taro mousse.
I’m Ashley Thompson.
Terry Tang wrote this story for the Related Press. Hai Do tailored the story for Studying English.
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Phrases in This Story
envelope – n. an enclosing cowl for letter, card or cash
dessert – n. candy meals normally eaten after a meal
bakery – n. place the place bread, cake or cookies are made
zodiac – n. time cycle divided into 12 elements for Lunar New 12 months calendar
competition – n. particular time when individuals get collectively to rejoice
snack – n. small quantity of meals eaten between meals
recognize – v. to know the significance of one thing
difficult – adj. having many elements
