The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, but mooncakes are still available on the market, and many people continue to enjoy this traditional delicacy. The shelf life of mooncakes varies depending on the type, generally ranging from 20 to 90 days. Fruit-filled mooncakes have a shorter shelf life of about a month; sweet fillings like red bean paste and dates last a bit longer; while snow skin mooncakes are the hardest to preserve, lasting only 15 to 20 days and requiring refrigeration.
When storing mooncakes, they should be kept in a cool, ventilated, and dry place at room temperature, avoiding mixing with other foods to prevent spoilage. For snow skin and fresh meat mooncakes, it is recommended to place them in the refrigerator and wrap them with plastic wrap, while carefully controlling the temperature to prevent starch from aging and affecting the texture. Additionally, to prevent pest contamination, mooncakes can be stored with tangerine peel and Sichuan pepper.
Once opened, the shelf life of mooncakes is limited; they can only be stored for a few hours at room temperature, and in the refrigerator, they can be kept for about two more days, so they should be consumed promptly.
When purchasing mooncakes, one should be rational, considering their high sugar and oil content as well as their short shelf life, and buy based on actual needs.
When eating mooncakes, keep the following points in mind: – Consume in moderation to avoid digestive issues or spikes in blood sugar, especially for the elderly and children. – Avoid eating mooncakes with congee to prevent rapid blood sugar increases, which can affect health. – Fresh mooncakes have the best taste, while stale mooncakes are prone to spoilage and can cause food poisoning. – It is recommended to eat them in the morning or at noon and reduce intake in the evening, especially for the elderly. – When eating mooncakes with both sweet and salty flavors, it’s better to start with the salty one to fully experience the flavors. – Those with a hot constitution and women during specific physiological periods should reduce their intake to avoid discomfort. – Pregnant and postpartum women need to be especially cautious when eating mooncakes to avoid affecting their own and their baby’s health, paying attention to food choices and portion control.
In summary, proper purchasing, suitable storage, and moderate consumption of mooncakes can ensure health while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
