How to Choose Mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival: Six Groups of People Should Avoid Eating Too Many
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, mooncake manufacturers have once again begun to occupy the best spots in major supermarkets and shopping malls with great fanfare. However, annual news reports about mooncake food safety make people hesitant to buy them without caution. To help everyone choose mooncakes with peace of mind, here are some helpful tips.
1. Observe the Color and Appearance
1. The surface of a normal mooncake should be golden yellow and evenly colored.
2. All mooncakes contain cooking oil. High-quality mooncakes will have a slight oily sheen on the surface, and the pastry body will be semi-translucent with an oily luster.
3. The mooncake's surface should be firm, without filling leaking out or becoming deformed.
4. The patterns and characters on the mooncake's surface should be clear and distinguishable.
5. The filling should be fine, dense, and free of impurities.
6. The egg yolk should be whole and a deep red or golden yellow, with a relatively clear interface where it meets the filling.
2. Smell the Aroma
A high-quality mooncake will emit a light, sweet fragrance. If there is any unusual odor or a rancid smell of oil, it may be an old or expired mooncake.
3. Taste Test
1. The filling should have a fine texture, feel smooth in the mouth, and have no gritty sensation.
2. The mooncake's pastry should be soft and thin.
3. The filling should have a rich and distinct flavor.
4. Squeeze and Feel
Of course, most stores do not allow you to "dissect" a mooncake to inspect it. Therefore, it is often better to choose a more reliable brand. Generally, local time-honored brands and well-known national brands are trustworthy. When purchasing, be sure to check the production date. You can also check the quality by gently squeezing the mooncake. Generally, a high-quality mooncake will feel firm but still springy to the touch.
So, which people should avoid eating mooncakes?
According to reports, because mooncakes are high in sugar, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and coronary heart disease should not eat too many. Mooncakes can cause a sharp increase in blood sugar, worsen cardiac ischemia, and may even trigger a myocardial infarction. In addition, the elderly and infants should also avoid eating too many due to poor digestive and absorption capabilities or underdeveloped digestive systems. Because mooncakes can cause a large secretion of gastric acid, patients with duodenitis or gastritis should also avoid eating too many.