With the Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner, mooncakes are appearing on shelves, offering an impressive diversity of choices. While traditional flavors continue to appeal to older generations, creative new varieties are increasingly winning over younger consumers. For those eager to explore the full spectrum of flavors, Chengdu's Mooncake Culture Festival is the place to be.

This year's festival brings together over 2,000 products, from Yunnan's savory ham mooncakes and floral-infused varieties to Cantonese-style lotus seed paste and five-nut mooncakes, as well as northern classics like red bean and jujube paste.

Local Chengdu brands have introduced a new ‘wellness series’, including a sweet-and-tangy hawthorn mooncake that delights the palate while challenging the notion that all mooncakes are cloyingly sweet. Tibetan producers present savory yak beef mooncakes in both zesty spicy and numbing Sichuan pepper flavors, offering a bold departure from tradition.

Visitors note that regional mooncakes reflect strong local characteristics, capturing distinct flavor profiles and locally sourced ingredients. Many see the festival as a delightful way to experience cultural exchange through food.