A longevity peach, or ''shoutao'', is a type of
lotus seed bun
A lotus seed bun is a Chinese sweet bun found in China. They are prepared by steaming a yeast-leavened dough that contains lotus seed paste. It can be classified as a dim sum, though not exclusively so.
Preparation
Because the bun has a vari ...
, sometimes with a filling made of
red bean paste
Red bean paste () or red bean jam, also called adzuki bean paste or ''anko'' (a Japanese word), is a paste made of red beans (also called "adzuki beans"), used in East Asian cuisine. The paste is prepared by boiling the beans, then mashing or g ...
or
lotus paste. It is white with a red dyed tip with a crease along the side, mimicking the shape of a
peach
The peach (''Prunus persica'') is a deciduous tree first domesticated and cultivated in Zhejiang province of Eastern China. It bears edible juicy fruits with various characteristics, most called peaches and others (the glossy-skinned, non-fu ...
. Occasionally, bakers add green decorations that mimic leaves.
The longevity peach is a representation of
Peaches of Immortality
In Chinese mythology, Peaches of Immortality ( or ) are consumed by the immortals due to their mystic virtue of conferring longevity on all who eat them. Peaches symbolizing immortality (or the wish for a long and healthy life) are a common symbo ...
. According to
Chinese folk legends, these peaches ripen every thousands of years, and grant immortality to humans when consumed.
The pastry is typically served at the birthdays of elderly people to celebrate their achievement in having reached old age.
See also
*
List of buns
This is a list of buns. A bun is a small, sometimes sweet, bread, or bread roll. Though they come in many shapes and sizes, they are most commonly hand-sized or smaller, with a round top and flat bottom.
Buns
A
* Anpan - A bun that is filled, u ...
*
List of steamed foods
This is a list of steamed foods and dishes that are typically or commonly prepared by the cooking method of steaming.
Steamed foods
* Ada – a food item from Kerala, usually made of rice flour with sweet filling inside.
* Bánh – in Hanoi ...
References
Dim sum
Sweet breads
Chinese bakery products
Steamed buns
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