Back during the Soong dynasty when the Chinese were oppressed by the Mongols, their rebel leaders sought to overthrow the Mongol overlords.
As meetings were banned it was impossible to make plans. Liu Fu Tong of the Anhui Province came up with a plan by requesting permission to distribute cakes to his friends to bless the longevity of the Mongol emperor. He made thousands of cakes shaped like the moon and stuffed with sweet fillings.
Inside each cake however was placed a piece of paper with the message: ‘Rise against the Tartars on the 15th day of the 8th Moon’. Reading the message, the people rose against
the Mongols on a local scale.
This rebellion enabled Chu Hung Wu, another rebel leader to eventually overthrow the Mongols. In 1368, he established the Ming dynasty and ruled under the name of Emperor Tai Tsu.
Henceforth, the Mid Autmn Festival was celebrated with mooncakes on a national level.
8 comments:
I miss the Taiping mooncakes. Think my parents claim that they are not as good as before now. (ya lah.. when we were schooling days!)
I miss the Taiping mooncakes. Think my parents claim that they are not as good as before now. (ya lah.. when we were schooling days!)
I like the simple ones sold at the corner coffee shop near Chartered Bank. Not only moon cake but the ang kong na piah too. Last time so cheap, now one mooncake usually around RM8 minimum, and that's the kosong ones.
You know, it is hard to find "Tau Sar" mooncakes in S'pore, which is my favourite. The closest they have is red bean - not as good la! I know there's this place in Bangsar that makes great mooncakes (yes, "Tau sar" ones!).. Keat would know where it is. So if anyone coming to S'pore, please "tar-pau" some for us la. Promise to treat you all dinner in S'pore!
Too late Gaik, Pat was down just last week. But we'll eat on your behalf la.
But isn't tau sar made from ang tau?
Thought so too. But dunno why it tastes & look so different here in S'pore. Aiya, ya lor, this Pat ah.... quietly come to S'pore, didn't announce to us cousins in S'pore.... and apparently tried SMS-ing me on Sunday but obviously I didn't receive. Maybe she also takut will get caught by S'pore Customs if carry too many mooncakes!
So don't anyhow "blame" us S'pore cousins for not wanting to extend our warmth & excellent hospitality to out KL & Tpg cousins..... come also don't want to say!!!
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