Yesterday we, Chinese, celebrated Dongzhi Festival. The Dōngzhì Festival or Winter Solstice Festival (Chinese: 冬至; literally: “the extreme of Winter”) is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the Chinese and other East Asians during the Dongzhi solar term(winter solstice) on or around December 22 (according to East Asia time). In 2015, the festival falls on Tuesday, December 22. ~ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tangyuan or tang yuan is a Chinese food made from glutinous rice flour mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and is then cooked and served in boiling water. Tangyuan can be either small or large, and filled or unfilled. ~ From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 Throw back my childhood until my children’s childhood years, we used to help my mama shaping the balls a night before the celebration day. The next morning we woke up smelling the aroma of warm gingered sweet syrup with tangyuan balls in a large bowl. The aroma of tradition, the sweet togetherness.

 As traditional philosophy, The Tangyuan’s Day is meant as a time for family to get together. The activities of making and eating tangyuan will involve the family members in a togetherness.

 Tangyuan are made of glutinous rice flour in bright colours. The balls are cooked in gingered sweet gravy.  The glutinous rice flour in bright colour represents the close and profound family ties in bright and positive ambiences. While the ginger and sweet flavours are symbolizing the warmth and sweetness in family relationship. And the round shape of the balls means as harmony and solidarity in family.

Enjoy the tradition, enjoy the togetherness, enjoy the harmony, have a happy Tangyuan’s moment!

Serpong, 23rd December 2015, 16.47

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