Fa gao facts for kids
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| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | China |
| Main ingredients | flour (usually rice flour), leavening (traditionally yeast), sugar |
| Similar dishes | Htanthi mont, Bánh bò |
Fa gao (pronounced 'fah-gow') is a special Chinese steamed cake. It's a bit like a cupcake, but it's steamed instead of baked! People also call it Fat pan (especially the Hakka), prosperity cake, Fortune cake, or Cantonese sponge cake.
When it's cooked, the top of a Fa gao often splits open. This makes it look like it's smiling or like a flower blooming! That's why some people call it the Chinese smiling steamed cake or blooming flowers. It's a very popular treat during the Chinese New Year. The Hakka people also enjoy it at other celebrations, weddings, and even funerals.
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What Fa Gao Means
The name "Fa gao" has a cool secret meaning! In Chinese, "fa" can mean both "to expand" and "prosperity," while "gao" means "cake." So, the name "Fa gao" sounds like "cake which expands" and "prosperity cake" at the same time! It's a wish for good things to grow and happen.
The Hakka have a special name for the split top of the Fa gao. They call it "xiao," which means "smiling." They believe a big smile on the cake is a sign that good fortune is coming. So, the bigger the "smile" on your Fa gao, the better!
How Fa Gao is Made
Making Fa gao starts with simple ingredients. It's usually made from flour (often rice flour), something to make it rise (like yeast or baking powder), and sugar to make it sweet.
Here's how it's done:
- The ingredients are mixed together to make a batter.
- This batter is often left to rest for a while. This resting time allows it to ferment, which helps the cake become light and fluffy.
- Then, the batter is steamed over high heat. This is different from baking in an oven!
- As it steams, the cake gets bigger, and its top splits into a special "smile," usually with three or four sections.
To make them extra festive for the New Year, these cakes are often colored brightly. The most common colors are white and pink. You can also make them brown by adding palm sugar.
Fa Gao Around the World
In Singapore
Many Chinese Singaporeans use Fa gao as special offerings. They use them during ceremonies to honor their ancestors.
In Mauritius
Far away in Mauritius, Fa gao is known by different names. People call it "poutou chinois" (which means "Chinese puttu") or "poutou rouge" (meaning "red puttu"). Mauritians who are of Hakka descent often call it "pot pan."
In Mauritius, Fa gao is usually pink. While it's especially popular during Chinese New Year, you can actually find and enjoy it all year long!
Gallery
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Incense stick and fa gao.
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Fa gao
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Mauritian Poutou Chinois.
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