Origin: Tangyuan originated in the Song Dynasty and is a novel food in Mingzhou (now Ningbo, Zhejiang Province). It is filled with black sesame seeds and pig fat, with a little sugar, and the outside is kneaded into a circle with glutinous rice flour. When cooked, it tastes sweet and soft, with endless aftertaste.

At the same time, glutinous rice balls symbolize family reunion, and eating glutinous rice balls also means family happiness and happy reunion in the New Year, so it is a must-have food for the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the first month.

Moral: Tangyuan symbolizes reunion and beauty, and places people's good expectations for life.

Tangyuan culture

Eating dumplings is a traditional custom of the Han nationality, especially in Jiangnan. "Ningbo Tangyuan" is an essential food and a round dessert made of glutinous rice flour. "Circle" means "reunion" and "perfection". Eating glutinous rice balls during festivals symbolizes family harmony and auspiciousness, so it is also called "floating Zi Yuan". There is a folk saying that "eating glutinous rice balls is one year older". There was a poem in the ancients: "Every family in Ningbo makes glutinous rice balls, and contentment is always happy."