This week billions of people across the world are celebrating the Chinese New Year. During the 15-day event food will take center stage in a series of feasts, treats and sweets that hold special meaning.

At Delysia Chocolatier we love incorporating culinary indulgences from various cultures and taking inspiration from authentic ingredients. The holiday gives us a chance to experience new flavors and delicacies that have been enjoyed for centuries.

 

The Food and Flavors of the Chinese New Year

Like most holidays, food is an integral part of the Chinese New Year. Much of the menu consists of foods that are thought to bring good luck in the form of delicious dishes. Each bite is full of meaning, and the recipes have been cultivated over many generations. Below is a small sampling of the most popular foods that people enjoy for the Chinese New Year.

Potstickers

Potstickers are one of the most commonly consumed foods in China, but during the New Year they get a special twist. Chefs shape the potstickers into the shape of an ingot, which is commonly used in the processing of gold and silver.

Spring Rolls

Another common food that gets a new shape for the New Year is spring rolls. Instead of being cylindrical that are formed into bars that resemble gold.

Noodles

Noodles have a history almost as old as the Chinese calendar. The Chinese were the first to use noodles, so it’s no surprise that they’re found on the dinner table during the New Year. Noodles are made as long as possible for the holiday to symbolize long life.

Fish

Asian cultures are known for their fish dishes, and New Year’s is no exception. Fish and other meats are served whole because the idea of wholeness is important for the holiday.

Bok Choy

Leafy greens are a symbol of life in the Chinese culture. They are left whole in New Year’s family dishes in the hopes of long life for all those at the table.

Peanuts

Peanuts are a key ingredient in many dishes during the Chinese New Year because they are thought to bring a long life. They are often used in potstickers with the hope that people will have health and wealth in the coming year.

Citrus

Chef Nicole was inspired by her Italian heritage when she crafted the Citrus Truffle Collection, but it’s the perfect chocolate indulgence for the Chinese New Year. In the Chinese culture citrus fruits represent wealth and prosperity.

Desserts

Want a sweet life in the New Year? Sweets are an important part of the culinary celebration since many people believe they will make your life sweeter in the coming months. Crunchy rice cakes, layers of egg custard and candied nuts are traditional desserts, but all sweets are welcome during the holiday.

Delysia Chocolatier’s own Asian Truffle Collection is a celebration of flavors from the East that are expertly blended with richly complex chocolate. It’s a deliciously sweet way to begin the Year of the Monkey.