In fact, glutinous rice balls and Yuanxiao are not the same thing, but they are somewhat similar in appearance and taste. They are all round and white. It will be wrapped with stuffing. However, if you really dig deep, their production technology, stuffing and cooking time will be different, so don't confuse glutinous rice balls with Yuanxiao.
The difference between the two: Tangyuan is kneaded, and Yuanxiao is rolled out. The making method of glutinous rice balls is complicated. First, raw glutinous rice flour needs water to form dough, then it needs to be kneaded into long strips, cut into small dosage forms, pressed into flour cakes, and then the prepared stuffing is wrapped in the crust of the cakes, then it is pinched by hands and kneaded into a circle.