During the Mid-Autumn Festival, mooncakes, as traditional delicacies, are highly cherished. With a wide variety available, proper storage becomes a major concern due to their perishable nature. Mooncakes are typically made of starch, cassava flour, sugar, and rich fillings. The shelf life of commercially available mooncakes generally does not exceed one month, while homemade mooncakes, especially snowskin mooncakes, have an even shorter shelf life, possibly only around a week. Therefore, timely understanding and following the storage conditions of mooncakes are particularly important.
The key to preserving mooncakes lies in a cool, ventilated, shaded, and dry environment. Due to the complex composition of mooncakes, which include flour, rock sugar, walnuts, sesame, even butter, fruits, and vegetables, they are prone to attracting pests. Therefore, they should be stored separately to prevent rapid deterioration. For more perishable varieties like snowskin mooncakes and fresh meat mooncakes, wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing them in the refrigerator is a wise choice, but the refrigerator temperature should not be too low.
If mooncakes have been opened and not finished, there are two ways to handle them: seal them with plastic wrap and refrigerate them for consumption as soon as possible, or slice the mooncakes and cook them into porridge with whole grains, which is both efficient and allows for a new flavor experience.
When purchasing mooncakes, considering their short shelf life and high fat content, it is advisable to make rational choices and buy according to your needs. When consuming mooncakes, the first step is to check the shelf life to ensure freshness and safety. Pay attention to the high sugar and high oil characteristics of mooncakes, sample them in moderation to avoid digestion issues or discomfort.
It is worth noting that certain groups of people should avoid or consume mooncakes cautiously, including diabetics, as the sugar in mooncakes may cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels; gallstone patients, as the sugar in mooncakes can increase cholesterol and worsen the condition; and duodenal ulcer and stomach disease patients, as mooncakes may stimulate gastric acid secretion and aggravate symptoms. Therefore, while enjoying the festive atmosphere, paying attention to personal health conditions and consuming mooncakes sensibly are crucial.
