Ciba cake facts for kids
Ciba is a yummy, traditional Chinese snack. It's also called nianba, which means "New Year cake." Ciba is made from glutinous rice, which is a special sticky rice. People pound this rice until it becomes a smooth paste. Then, they shape it into balls or squares. You can enjoy Ciba fried or steamed.
Contents
Where is Ciba Popular?
Ciba is very popular in southern China. You'll find it in places like Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, and Hubei provinces.
Similar sticky rice treats are also found in Japan and Korea. However, how they are made and eaten can be a little different.
How to Enjoy Ciba
People often dip Ciba in sweet brown sugar syrup. They also use roasted soybean flour for extra flavor. The way people eat Ciba can change depending on the region. For example, in Chongqing, many people order Ciba as a snack when they eat Chongqing hot pot. It's a great way to cool down after spicy food!
When Do People Eat Ciba?
Traditionally, Ciba is a special food for Chinese festivals. It's especially popular during the Spring Festival. Families also eat Ciba during celebrations. It's a way to share happiness and joy together.
What Ciba Means to People
Ciba is very sticky and chewy. This stickiness reminds Chinese people of how families and friends stay close. Some Ciba cakes are round, which means "reunion" in Chinese culture.
Making Ciba often needs many people working together. A big family or several families might help out. Because of this, Ciba often stands for family get-togethers and good luck for the New Year.
The Fun of Pounding Ciba
Making Ciba the traditional way is a special activity. People put cooked glutinous rice into a big wooden or stone bowl called a mortar. Then, they use large wooden tools called pestles to pound the rice. Wood and stone are used because the sticky rice won't stick to them.
Usually, two people take turns pounding the rice. They pound for about 30 minutes. Sometimes, they add a little water to the mortar. After pounding, people shape the sticky rice by hand. Then, it's ready to be cooked. In places like Ciqikou in Chongqing, you can still see people pounding Ciba in street shops!
What's in Ciba?
The basic ingredients for Ciba are simple:
- Water
- Glutinous rice flour
People can also add other yummy things like:
- Peanut
- Sesame seeds
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Osmanthus fragrans (a fragrant flower)
- Honey
Similar Dishes
