The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, marks the end of the autumn harvest and is a time of reunion under the glowing full moon. In 2024, this festival falls on September 17th.
In Singapore, the festival is a time for families to enjoy vibrant Chinese lantern displays and other light shows at night. Children especially love the Mid-Autumn Festival for the mooncakes and the chance to parade around town holding lanterns with their parents.
MOONCAKE TRADITION
Mooncakes are the quintessential treat of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Traditionally filled with sweet bean paste or lotus seeds, these round pastries have deep cultural significance. The shape of the mooncake symbolizes the full moon, reflecting the festival’s origins in moon worship and harvest celebrations. While the religious aspects have faded, the mooncake remains a delicious and meaningful part of the festivities.
In earlier times, lanterns were crafted from colorful Chinese paper and lit with wax candles. Today, you’ll see lanterns made from cellophane bags and hangar wires, or store-bought versions powered by batteries and shaped like popular cartoon characters.
WHERE TO BUY THEM
#1: INTERCONTINENTAL SINGAPORE
For a luxurious mooncake experience, Man Fu Yuan at InterContinental Singapore offers a collection that’s as gorgeous as it is tasty. The Blossom and Botany snowskin mooncake collection features four new citrusy flavors, each molded into the restaurant’s iconic rose silhouette and paired with a delightful chocolate truffle center. Additionally, health-conscious individuals will appreciate their low-sugar baked mooncakes. Prices start from S$96 for four baked mooncakes.
Image Credits: singapore.intercontinental.com
What’s more? You can use the code “MCK20” for 20% savings on all mooncakes until September 17, 2024. Selected credit cards enjoy 25% savings too. Order here: singapore.intercontinental.com
#2: CAPITOL KEMPINSKI HOTEL
Capitol Kempinski Hotel offers mooncakes in striking gold-embossed turquoise boxes, featuring new baked flavors like Red Bean Osmanthus with Mixed Nuts and Black Sesame Paste with Egg Yolk. Their new snowskin options consist Mocha Bailey’s and Yuzu Osmanthus. Prices start from S$72 for a set of eight mini baked mooncakes.
Image Credits: shop-capitolkempinski.myshopify.com
Enjoy up to 30% off on orders placed before August 31, 2024, with exclusive privileges for UOB, OCBC, DBS, and Citibank cardmembers. Get it here: shop-capitolkempinski.myshopify.com.
#3. MANDARIN ORIENTAL SINGAPORE
For a touch of Peranakan charm, Mandarin Oriental Singapore offers mooncakes packaged in elegant boxes inspired by the hotel’s wall murals. The Cherry Garden Four Treasures box, priced at S$92, includes flavors like Chestnut with Exceptionally Singapore Tea and Almond, and Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Tropical Oasis Tea and Coconut. Sounds delish, right?
Image Credits: singapore.mandarinorientalshop.com.
Purchase it here: singapore.mandarinorientalshop.com.
#4: ORCHARD HOTEL
Hua Ting Restaurant at Orchard Hotel presents an exquisite selection of mooncakes in sustainable craft boxes. Their offerings include the Black Sesame with Melon Seeds (S$80 per box of 4) and White Lotus Paste with Double Yolk and Macadamia Nuts (S$86 per box of 4) .
Image Credits: millenniumhotels.com
Indulge in up to 25% off with their Early Bird Mooncake Promotion until September 2, 2024. Available here: millenniumhotels.com.
#5: ST. REGIS SINGAPORE
For those who prefer a smaller indulgence, St Regis Singapore’s Petite Gift Set offers two baked mooncakes or four mini snowskin mooncakes for S$65.80. The elegant pale blue-sleeved box includes flavors like Pu’er Tea with Melon Seeds or Red Dates and Walnut Paste with Lychee Martini Truffle.
Surely, these delicately delicious mooncakes are best paired with refreshing tea! Grab a set at giftwithstregis.oddle.me.
Image Credits: giftwithstregis.oddle.me
These mooncakes not only make the perfect gift but also serve as a delightful way to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with loved ones. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all!