(CRIENGLISH.com)
Updated: 2008-05-13 08:53

An undated picture of "Torch Zongzi" in a supermarket. [Photo: dayoo.com]

Torch-shaped Zongzi recently entered the markets of Guangzhou, where the Olympic torch relay just ended four days ago.

With one month to go before Dragon Boat Festival, the traditional festival food hit the shelves to record sales one week earlier than last year, the local Information Times reports.

To coincide with the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, many producers of Zongzi shaped their product like an Olympic torch and some even named them "Torch Zongzi" to attract customers.

Zongzi, the traditional food for Dragon Boat Festival, is a glutinous rice ball with fillings wrapped in corn leaves.

Meat, salty pork and beans are the traditional fillings for Zongzi but this year, producers are offering some new and healthier ingredients like raisins, corn and green tea, but at a higher price than the traditional fillings.

Zongzi prices are estimated to be 20 percent higher than last year because of the rising price of meat, cooking oil and rice.