In Shimo County, Guizhou Province, sesame cakes are a cherished festive treat served during Chinese New Year gatherings. These handmade delights, with their crispy texture and sweet flavor, always add a touch of sweetness to the holiday celebrations and embody the spirit of togetherness.
Sesame cakes are usually crafted from glutinous rice and sesame sugar, complemented by peanuts, sesame seeds, and melon seeds.
The process of making these cakes is intricate and time-intensive. It begins with soaking glutinous rice for 48 hours, steaming it over high heat, and then cooling and drying it. The dried rice is fried in hot oil to create puffed rice. Meanwhile, the sesame sugar is boiled into syrup. The puffed rice is then mixed with the syrup, stir-fried, pressed into molds, and cut into pieces. It eventually becomes a batch of sweet, crispy sesame cakes.
In Pingzhong Village near Shimo, making sesame cakes is an activity that brings neighbors together. Typically, seven to eight villagers gather to complete the process, working amidst lively conversations and laughter. This shared experience imbues the cakes with a festive spirit.
“We have a custom of making sesame cakes for the Chinese New Year. Now that I’m older, I teach others to make them, passing down this craft to preserve the tradition for future generations,”said Yang Zhengxian, an elderly villager.
These sesame cakes are not only a popular snack but also a delicacy for entertaining guests during the holiday. As an essential part of Spring Festival celebrations, they hold a special place in the hearts of the villagers. Even those who have moved away often return home to savor the nostalgic taste of their childhood.
“We’ve been eating these sesame cakes since we were kids –it’s the flavor of our childhood,”said Liu Lina, a young villager. “Every year, we use them to treat friends and family. The slightly sweet flavor symbolizes a happy and sweet life in the year ahead. For us, these cakes are the essence of our memories,”she added.
With their delightful taste and rich cultural significance, sesame cakes remain a beloved tradition in Guizhou, representing the sweetness of life and an inheritance of their tradition.
