Experts from the Department of Product Supervision of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine introduced three methods for consumers to identify mooncakes as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches.
First, observe the appearance. The mooncakes should be uniform in size, well-shaped, and full. Cantonese-style mooncakes have a light brown surface and乳黄色 (ruhuangse, literally "milky yellow") walls, with evenly applied egg wash and patterns indicating the factory name and filling. Beijing-style mooncakes have no patterns or product names. For example, "Zilaihong" (自来红) mooncakes have a棕黄色 (zonghuangse, literally "brownish yellow") skin that is not dull, undercooked, or burnt, and does not leak sugar or filling.
Second, smell the aroma. Fresh, high-quality mooncakes emit a rich, characteristic fragrance. The scent of the skin and filling varies depending on the ingredients. If the mooncakes are made with inferior materials or have been stored for a long time, they may have a stale or rancid smell.
Third, taste the flavor. Generally, Cantonese-style mooncakes are known for their thin skin, large filling, pure taste, and soft, pleasant texture. The fillings mainly consist of lotus seed paste, coconut paste, egg yolk, fruit, and various meat fillings, with a moderate level of sweetness and saltiness. The production of the skin and filling for Beijing-style mooncakes is intricate and complex. The skin is divided into four main categories: oil skin, crispy oil skin, clear syrup skin, and Jing-Guang skin. The fillings are classified into three types: cooked fillings, stir-fried fillings, and mixed fillings. These fillings contain a large amount of fruit and nut ingredients, such as peach kernels, melon seeds, sesame seeds, osmanthus, red and green shreds, and various other fruits. "Zilaihong" mooncakes also rock sugar, making them crispy, easy to eat, soft, and delicate. Low-quality mooncakes often have a tough skin and filling without a crispy texture and may have a bitter taste.
The experts also mentioned that eating mooncakes with light tea can help cut through the greasiness and aid digestion. It also allows for slower chewing, enhancing the flavor and enjoyment. Generally, it is recommended to pair savory mooncakes with oolong tea and sweet mooncakes with scented tea.