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The flavor of Spring Festival arrives with steamed flower buns

春节花馍一出锅，年味就来了

In many places in northern China, the is crucial to ensure that the buns are fully
arrival of the Major Cold solar term (usually cooked without losing their shape or de-
around January 20 of the Gregorian calen- veloping bubbles. The final step in making
dar each year, marking the coldest period of steamed flower buns is decoration, which
the year) means that the countdown to the is also the most visually appealing part of
Spring Festival has begun. the process. As there are no textbooks or
In Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province, templates, this traditional skill is passed
craftsmen start making special steamed down orally, learned from one generation
flower buns. These buns are crafted into to the next. With a small pair of scissors,
various shapes representing zodiac animals a chopstick, and nimble hands, artisans
and auspicious elements, such as snakes transform ordinary dough into vibrant,
and lucky bags, reflecting people’s good beautifully shaped works of art amidst
wishes for the New Year. In traditional cul- laughter and conversation.
ture, snakes symbolize agility and wisdom. After going through multiple proce-
Through these steamed flower buns, crafts- dures such as kneading, pinching, pulling,
men hope to share their good wishes with rolling, and sticking, the small pieces
a wider audience. In Shandong Province, of dough are turned into steamed flower
preparing flower bobo (another name for buns of various shapes. According to Xu
steamed flower buns) during the Spring Fes- Fengyu, the owner of a steamed bun shop
tival is a cherished tradition, symbolizing a in Jimo District, Qingdao City, Shandong
thriving year ahead. Many people also place Province, “When making steamed flower
steamed flower buns shaped like the “Holy buns, it’s essential to adhere to strict re-
Snake” into rice jars on New Year’s Eve, quirements regarding the dough’s softness
signifying hopes for a bountiful grain har- and firmness, the proportion of flour to alka-
vest in the upcoming year. li, and the heat and timing for steaming the
The production process of steamed dough sculptures. Creating them properly
flower buns may appear simple, but creat- is a time-consuming and labor-intensive
ing them perfectly is time-consuming and process, with each step requiring careful
labor-intensive. There are strict procedures consideration.”
involved in making steamed flower buns, During our interview with Xu, we were
including fermentation, kneading the dough, struck by the sight of a table filled with an
forming intricate shapes, and steaming. array of finished steamed flower buns. The
Each step demands a high level of precision. colorful buns, shaped like tigers, flower
During the rising process, it’s essential to rolls, and symbols of prosperity, showcased
manage time and temperature carefully to unique craftsmanship and a rich rural charm.
prevent the buns from deforming, cracking, the sweet aroma wafts through the air, cre-
or losing their moisture and smooth tex- ating a sense of warmth and festivity that is
ture. When steaming, proper heat control deeply associated with the Spring Festival.