The process of making kumquat mooncakes is simple yet fun, allowing people to experience the joy of DIY while enjoying delicious food. Before starting, all the pastry ingredients need to be mixed evenly in a large bowl, covered with plastic wrap, and left to rest for an hour to let the dough relax. Next, divide the filling into small 45-gram balls and the pastry into 18-gram portions. Take a piece of pastry, gently flatten it, place the filling on top, and using the pinch-and-pull technique, slowly wrap the filling until completely sealed. To prevent sticking, dust the mooncake mold with a little dry powder, place the filled mooncake dough, press firmly, then gently push out the mold to reveal a beautifully shaped mooncake. Repeat this process until all mooncake dough is used.
Before baking, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, spray a little water mist on the mooncake surface, place in the middle rack, and bake for 5 minutes initially. Then take out, evenly brush with egg wash, return to the oven, and continue baking for about 10 minutes until the mooncakes turn a tempting golden color.
Kumquats not only serve as a delicious filling for mooncakes but also offer multiple health benefits. Rich in vitamin C and fiber, they can promote intestinal movement, improve constipation, and enhance iron absorption. The high vitamin C content also supports bone health, hair growth, and vascular health. Additionally, kumquats’ antioxidant properties help prevent cancer, lower cholesterol, stabilize blood pressure, maintain cardiovascular health, and prevent atherosclerosis. The combination of vitamin C and vitamin A is a beauty elixir, nourishing the skin, reducing pigmentation, and keeping the skin radiant. The fragrant and sweet-sour taste of kumquats stimulates appetite, alleviates digestive discomfort like bloating and loss of appetite, and boosts the body’s resistance to colds. For occasional drinkers, kumquats can aid in hangover relief and alleviate post-drinking discomfort. Notably, the kumquat glucosides and vitamin C not only supplement daily vitamin needs but also help lower blood pressure, soften blood vessels, regulate blood lipids, and comprehensively protect overall health.
