Many Hong Kongers love mooncakes. Yet, with a list of usual ingredients that include sugar, lard, egg yolk and flour, many do not seem to be able to enjoy their mooncakes wholeheartedly, without concern for health consequences.
Fret no more! Vegan alternatives of mooncakes boast the same deliciousness of traditional mooncakes, minus the unhealthy bits, making it possible to tuck into the festive treat guilt-free. Here is how the traditional ingredients are replaced.
Sugar
Instead of refined sugar, maltitol is one of the alternatives used for making lotus seed paste. Maltitol is a sugar alcohol and is approximately 90% as sweet as sugar. It is often used in foods suitable for diabetics.1 Other vegan alternatives include agave syrup and coconut flower nectar.
Lard
Vegan substitutes for lard include canola oil, coconut oil, and vegetable oil. Some prefer adding a small amount of alkaline water and syrup to make the dough more stretchable. It also allows the mooncakes to brown more nicely upon baking.
Flour
Alternative flours, such as oat flour, glutinous rice flour, and buckwheat flour, are common choices in vegan mooncakes.
Egg Yolk/ Fillings
Replace egg yolk with ingredients like durian flesh, sweet potato or peanut butter. Fruits, nuts and seed fillings are also widely used, from mango to blueberry; cashew to sesame; and pumpkin seeds to fig.
Vegan mooncakes are healthier and come in various innovative flavors. Why not give them a try this year without worrying about your waistline?
Sources
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/250589-negative-side-effects-of-maltitol/. Viewed 02 Sep 2018.
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