Yin and Zhou Dynasties.

Mooncakes have a long history in China. According to historical records, as early as the Yin and Zhou periods, Jiangsu and Zhejiang have a commemorative master Wenzhong's thin side of the heart of the "master cake", which is the "ancestor" of China's moon cakes. Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian's mission to the West, the introduction of sesame seeds, walnuts, moon cakes for the production of additional ingredients, then appeared in the walnut kernel as the filling of the round cake, called "Hu cake".

To the Ming Dynasty, the Mid-Autumn Festival to eat moon cakes in the folk gradually spread. At that time, the clever baker, the Chang'e moon mythological story as a food art pattern printed on the moon cake, so that the moon cake has become more popular with the people of the Mid-Autumn Festival essential food.

Extended information:

Mooncakes are a form of ritual in China. p>Moon worship is a very ancient custom in China, mooncakes are the ancient mid-autumn offerings to worship the moon god, but also the seasonal food of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The mooncake is round and round, and it is shared by the whole family, symbolizing unity and harmony.

In the ancient times, every Mid-Autumn Festival night was held to worship the moon. A large incense table was set up with moon cakes, fruits and other offerings. Under the moon, the statue of the moon god is placed in that direction of the moon, red candles are lit high, and the whole family pays homage to the moon in turn, and then the housewife of the family cuts the mooncake for reunion.

Mooncakes have a long history as an offering to the moon god. The word "mooncake" was first recorded in the Southern Song Dynasty in Wu Zimu's Mengliang Lu. Development to date, the Mid-Autumn Festival to enjoy the moon and eat moon cakes is a necessary custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival across China, as the saying goes: "August 15, the moon is full, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival moon cakes fragrant and sweet".

Baidu Encyclopedia - Mooncake (Chinese Traditional Snack)