September 7 marks the beginning of Bai Lu (White Dew), one of China's twenty-four solar terms. On this occasion, South, part of China's Nanfang Media Group, collaborated with Guangzhou Restaurant, a century-old culinary brand, to launch their "A Taste of Reunion" mooncakes.
Designed for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, these Cantonese-style mooncakes embody the essence of Lingnan culture and share the cultural stories of Chinese seasonal traditions with the world.
The Mid-Autumn Festival (the 15th day of the eighth lunar month) is one of China's most cherished traditional festivals. The joy of Mid-Autumn lies in the idea of "yuan"—there is a full moon in the sky, round mooncakes on the table, and family reunions during the festival. Gathering with loved ones to admire the moon and taste mooncakes is not only a festive ritual but also a poetic expression of the Chinese pursuit of perfection and harmony. The small mooncake offers a taste of rich culture that has spanned thousands of years.
The mooncakes feature packaging designs created from artwork by IP Guangdong, a comprehensive resource sharing and image branding platform. Notably, the design of the round gift box divided into four compartments draws inspiration from China's Song Dynasty literary master Su Shi's verse, "The Jade Rabbit (referring to the moon) will surely be perfectly round." According to IP Guangdong, the box primarily uses patterns of Canton Porcelain, paired with vase patterns from Cizhou ware of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and elements from Dunhuang murals to present the visual effects of the flowing sleeves in Cantonese opera. The background, inspired by the three-color ceramic ware of the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), uses elegant colors to complement the ever-changing pattern styles of Canton Porcelain, painting a unique picture of Guangdong's autumn.
Guangzhou Restaurant, renowned as the "Number One Dining Spot in Guangzhou," is one of the co-authors of the national standard for Cantonese-style mooncakes. Its "Double-Yolk White Lotus Mooncake" is a classic, characterized by carefully selected ingredients, time-honored craftsmanship, and a distinctive flavor that features a thin skin, a generous filling, moist texture, and sweet fragrance.
"Food is a universal language that needs no translation." A representative from South stated that the co-branded mooncakes with Guangzhou Restaurant, "A Taste of Reunion," not only embody the classic flavors of traditional Cantonese mooncakes but also provide a bilingual interpretation of the life aesthetics behind the festival and mooncakes, inviting international friends to experience the warmth and romance of Lingnan culture.
As the solar term quietly passes and Mid-Autumn draws near, South invites friends from around the world to admire the full moon and unite the hearts of East and West.
Editor | Li Lan (intern), Huang Qini, James Campion, Shen He
