The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, which means it’s time to indulge in the glorious, rich and wonderfully decadent world of mooncakes! But let’s be real – sometimes, after a couple of bites, the richness can become a bit…overwhelming. The secret to unlocking the full potential of your mooncake experience lies in the perfect mooncake pairings.
From earthy teas to bubbly champagnes, a whole universe of flavour is waiting to be explored. Let’s dive into this fun and delicious guide to taking your mooncake game to the next level.
The Classic Mooncake Pairings: Mooncakes and Tea
When it comes to mooncake pairings, tea is the classic and traditional choice. Its subtle bitterness and aromatic notes are experts at cutting through the sweetness of the pastry, creating a beautiful and balanced experience that has been cherished for generations.
For the Timeless Lotus Seed Mooncakes
Image Credit: Raffles Singapore Mooncakes
This is a classic for a reason, and it deserves a classic partner. A cup of Oolong tea or raw pu-erh is your best bet. The toasty notes of Oolong beautifully complement the natural balance of sweet lotus paste and salty egg yolk. If you’re enjoying a pure lotus mooncake without the yolk, an aged pu-erh tea with its earthy, mellow flavour is a truly magical match. Its smooth texture and subtle complexities provide a satisfying finish with every bite.
For the Cool and Chewy Snow Skin Mooncake
These are the wild cards for the mooncake world, with fillings ranging from delicate to durian-intense. For stronger flavours like chocolate and durian, a fruity Golden Tips red tea can hold its own against the boldness. For the more subtle, lighter varieties, try a first flush Darjeeling. This lightly fermented tea has a beautiful floral fragrance and an unusually light golden colour, almost like a green tea, which enhances the delicate taste of the non-baked snow skin mooncakes.
For the Earthy Red Bean Mooncake
Image Credit: Red Jade
A sister to the mung bean, the adzuki bean has a unique earthy and savoury flavour. To complement this, try a Taiwan Oolong or Silver Needle white tea. The fruity notes in both teas will beautifully complement the nutty flavours of the red bean and cut through any sweetness. Alternatively, a robust, grassy Japanese sencha is an excellent choice. Its deeper, richer flavours, a result of the steaming process, lift the subtle nutty character of the red bean mooncake.
Let’s Get Bubbly: Mooncake Pairings with Wine
Image Credit: Red Bottle
Who said mooncakes were just for tea time? Prepare to have your mind blown with these incredible mooncake pairings featuring wine!
The Perfect Mooncake Pairings For the Beloved Lotus Seed Paste
Image Credit: Wine Enthusiast
This popular mooncake deserves a sophisticated partner. Enter Sauternes, a traditional sweet wine with a rich, creamy texture and notes of honey, flowers and nuts. The wine’s acidity brilliantly balances the mooncake’s sweetness, creating a truly harmonious and integrated experience.
For the Trendy Snow Skin Mooncake
Image Credit: 90+ Cellars
Since these are lighter on the palate and served chilled, they’re perfect for a celebratory sip. A fruity, floral and semi-sparkling Moscato d’Asti is the perfect match. Its light effervescence and sweetness complement the delicate nature of the mooncake without overpowering it.
For the Savoury Salted Egg Yolk
Image Credit: Champmarket
This is a bold choice, but trust us, it works! Swap out the sweet wines for a dry, fizzy Champagne Brut, like the Barons de Rothschild, Réserve Ritz. The Champagne’s toasty aroma and zesty acidity provide a refreshing counterpoint to the sweetness of the paste and the richness of the yolk. The effervescence refreshes the palate with every sip. This is a game-changing mooncake pairing that you have to try!
For the King of Fruits (Durian) Mooncake
Image Credit: Bestheim
This is a pairing for the adventurous! The creamy, bittersweet durian mooncake meets its match in a Late Harvest Gewürztraminer. This wine has pronounced aromatics of lychee, orange, honey and chamomile. The refreshing acidity and balanced flavour profile stand up to the intense and creamy texture of the durian filling of the mooncake, creating a pairing that’s both daring and delightful.
So, this Mid-Autumn Festival, experiment with these delightful mooncake pairings and discover a whole new way to appreciate this beloved festive treat.
