Moon · Cakes · Tea

Five-seeds and ham

Melon seeds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, walnuts and sunflower seeds are the most commonly used. Seeds and ham sounds like a rather odd combination, but it is time-tested, especially in the south from the island of Hainan to Guangzhou to Shanghai. Candied winter melon forms a base filling, to which toasted nuts and melon seeds are mixed with finely minced ham. These should be sliced into thin wedges and enjoyed with a steaming pot of tea.

Pastry: Traditional sweet glazed pastry

Filling: Mixed nuts, melon seeds, chopped ham, five-spice powder

Tea match: With such nuttiness in the mouth, you need to have a tea that will enhance, rather than dissipate the spicy fragrance. Try an oolong tea, either from Fujian province Wuyi Mountain, or Taiwan's Ali Mountain.