Hanchuan Heyue Flaky Pastry 汉川荷月酥

Hanchuan Heyue Flaky Pastry (汉川荷月酥) is a round, pale pastry from Hanchuan (汉川), with a raised, hollow centre and an evenly pleated edge. Flour and lard form its flaky shell, while osmanthus, candied citrus and white sugar flavour the filling.

How it is made

A 2018 China City News (中国城市报) account by Liang Zheng (梁征) describes two rounds of working lard into the flour to create the pastry. The finished surface is finely textured and milky white.

How it is eaten

Heyue can be eaten dry or softened with boiling water. Dry, it breaks into crisp crumbs; soaked, it becomes soft and smooth. Liang describes pouring boiling water over it and eating it almost immediately. Honey or soy milk can be added according to preference.

Where it comes from

Liang recalls heyue as a gift taken to relatives and friends during festivals in his childhood, when it was an occasional treat rather than an everyday snack. In January 2024, the white pastries were among the Hanchuan foods presented at a New Year goods festival in Xiaogan (孝感).