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Session 2: Holiday snacks!

This past Sunday we held our second session of 2015-2016 where we explored holidays celebrated in various Asian countries, including Lunar New Year, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Valentine's Day. Some parents wanted to learn more about the snacks we provided for these holidays, so here's some information about them:

Lunar New Year

Traditionally, the celebration of Lunar New Year in China is all about wishing fortune, prosperity, and good luck on all of the people in our lives. One tradition is that elders give red envelopes ("hongbao") with monetary gifts to children on the Lunar New Year. This is known as giving "yasuiqian" or ghost-suppressing money, wishing children a peaceful and safe new year!

In our session, we put LiShi candy in the red envelopes distributed to children instead. Lishi - again in the lucky colors of red and gold - is often eaten on the New Year. Lishi comes in many flavors, and as the kids found out on Sunday, is very delicious!

The Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn is known as the festival of the harvest moon, so what better way to celebrate than to eat mooncakes? Mooncakes ("yuebing") are round pastries originating from southern China; they are typically filled with red bean or lotus seed paste, as well as various fillings like salted duck egg yolks or nuts. They are typically eaten in wedges and with tea.

Valentine's Day/Pocky Day

Japan celebrates love and friendship on another day in addition to February 14th. Reminiscent of the straight vertical lines of the iconic Japanese snack, 11/11 is known as Pocky Day. People give Pocky snacks to their loved ones and friends to celebrate this holiday. Pocky snacks come in many different flavors, and the kids got to try out a few different types this past Sunday, including green tea, chocolate, and strawberry!

Where can I buy these snacks?

Most Asian grocery stores in the area should carry these snacks, especially the candy and Pocky. Unfortunately, moon cakes are more of a seasonal pastry typically seen in September/October around the time of the Mid-Autumn festival. Here are some Asian stores to check out in the area:

Potung Trading

321 Park Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

H-Mart

800 N Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD 21228

H-Mart

3301 N Ridge Rd, Ellicott City, MD 21043

Great Wall Supermarket

5510 Baltimore National Pike, Woodlawn, MD 21207

See you all next time!

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