Dragon Boat Festival often known as Duanwu Festival. It is a traditional festival in China and it occurs on the 5th Day of the 5th Month in the traditional Chinese calendar.
There is a legend behind this; it is a story of a popular poet and minister of the ancient state of Chu during the Warring States period of the Zhou Dynasty called Qu Yuan. He was slandered by the jealous government officials and banished by the King for opposing the alliance. Because of the disappointment, he committed suicide and drowned himself into the Miluo River. The people who admire him rushed to the river have tried to save him and tried to recover his body. To commemorate Qu Yuan’s Death, Chinese people hold Dragon Boat Racing along the river on the day of his death. People will also scatter rice into the water to feed the fish in order to prevent them from eating his body.
The scatter rice has turned to Savoury Glutinous Rice Dumplings nowadays. Different parts in China have made up their own style of Glutinous Rice Dumplings. They are mainly the Savoury Style and the Sweet Style.
The Savoury Glutinous Rice Dumplings are wrapped with the Bamboo Leaves and consist of Glutinous Rice, Mung Bean, Preserved Duck Egg Yolk and Spiced Meat.
The Sweet Style Glutinous Rice Dumplings are with more variations. It is also wrapped with the Bamboo Leaves and consists of Glutinous Rice. Instead of Mung Bean, Preserved Duck Egg Yolk & Spiced Meat, people will put Red Beans, Peanuts and other beans/dates. This is also known as a Vegetarian Style Glutinous Rice Dumplings.
We are selling both styles of Glutinous Rice Dumplings in our Dublin 2 store. Come to buy and have a taste in this festival!
