The Rise of Chinese Desserts: Culinary Heritage and Exquisite Art
Italy has tiramisu, France boasts macarons, and Britain is known for pudding—many countries have iconic desserts. Similarly, China, with its rich history, has developed a unique mastery of pastries and sweets.
Today, across Chinese cities, newly opened dessert shops and pastry boutiques are flourishing, while traditional brands like Daoxiangcun and Xinghualou continue to captivate customers. In 2023, the size of China's bakery and confectionery industry reached 285.3 billion RMB, solidifying desserts as an irreplaceable part of the country's snack culture.
Chinese pastries, with their history spanning millennia, are renowned for their distinctive and diverse styles. For instance, the famous Eight Delicacies of Beijing (Jingbajian), a collection of eight pastries with unique shapes and flavors, originated in imperial ceremonies during the Ming and Qing dynasties before becoming popular among commoners. From auspicious “fu” character cookies and date flower cakes to the custard-filled “Zhen Ate It” buns, each pastry conveys rich cultural meaning and blessings, allowing people to savor the warmth of Chinese tradition alongside their flavors.
Chinese desserts prioritize natural ingredients, embracing restrained sweetness and focusing on subtle, layered flavors. Floral petals, fruits, nuts and plants are commonly used, creating a nuanced taste profile that is both refreshing and wholesome. Seasonality plays an integral role in their consumption: spring offers fresh flavors, summer desserts provide cooling relief, autumn pastries nourish dryness, and winter treats offer warmth and sustenance. This respect for nature’s rhythms highlights the deep connection between Chinese culinary practices and the natural world.
The shapes of Chinese pastries often carry profound meanings, frequently adopting square or circular forms that reflect ancient cosmological beliefs— “tianyuan difang” (round heaven and square earth). Squares symbolize stability and order, while circles represent harmony and completeness. Beyond these, intricate designs of flowers, fruits, objects and animals showcase an artistic reverence for nature and beauty.
From festival-specific treats to everyday snacks, Chinese pastries are imbued with deep emotional significance and heartfelt blessings. Their flavors, shapes and symbolic meanings form a harmonious whole, embodying a love for life and aspirations for a better future.
As times change, Chinese desserts have embraced Western baking techniques, innovative ingredients and creative ideas, yet the underlying culinary philosophy remains intact. Zhao Rongguang, Chairman of the Asian Food Study Conference, points out that Confucius’ principle of "refined preparation and precise craftsmanship" introduced over 2,000 years ago, still resonates today. Values such as respecting nature, cherishing food, pursuing excellence, adhering to seasonal harmony and upholding civility continue to guide the dietary habits of over a billion people in China.
Through the making and enjoyment of desserts, we convey gratitude for food, admiration for beauty and love for life. In savoring these creations, we are reminded to appreciate and respect every fleeting moment of existence.