Mooncake Guide: Flavors, Egg Yolks, and Mid-Autumn 2026
Mooncakes are the centerpiece of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the harvest celebration that falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. In 2026 that is Friday, September 25. Boxes are traditionally given to family, friends, and business contacts in the weeks leading up to it, so most people buy through late August and September.
What is inside a mooncake
A traditional baked mooncake is a dense, sweet filling wrapped in a thin, tender pastry, stamped with a decorative top. The filling is what distinguishes them. Ours come in four:
Lotus seed is the classic and the most prized: smooth, delicately sweet, and the standard by which a mooncake is judged. Red bean is earthier and slightly less sweet, a familiar favorite. Taro is mellow and nutty with a soft purple hue. Mixed nuts is the traditional textured style, packed with seeds and nuts rather than a smooth paste, for people who want crunch instead of sweetness.
One egg yolk, two, or none
The salted duck egg yolk in the center represents the full moon. It is savory and rich, and it cuts the sweetness of the filling. A single yolk is the classic choice. Two yolks means a richer cake and, traditionally, a more generous gift. No yolk is the sweeter, simpler option and the one to pick if you are unsure of someone's taste.
We also offer premium lotus seed versions, which use a finer paste and a higher proportion of filling.
How to serve and store them
A mooncake is rich, so it is cut into small wedges, four to eight per cake, and shared. Serve it with hot tea, which cuts through the sweetness. Oolong, pu-erh, and jasmine are the usual pairings.
Keep boxes sealed and in a cool, dry place until you serve them. Once a cake is cut, wrap it and refrigerate it, then eat it within a few days. If a cake seems firm straight from the fridge, let it come to room temperature before serving.
Choosing a box as a gift
For a business or formal gift, lotus seed with one or two yolks is the safest and most traditional choice. For a mixed group, an assorted box covers several fillings at once. For someone who does not want the savory yolk, choose a plain lotus seed, red bean, or taro cake.
Browse the full range on our seasonal collection, including lotus seed, red bean, taro, and mixed nuts mooncakes. Find them at Asian supermarkets nationwide on our Where to Buy page, or contact us about wholesale and case orders for the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2026?
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Friday, September 25, 2026. Mooncakes are usually bought and given through late August and September, in the weeks leading up to it.
What do the egg yolks in a mooncake mean?
The salted duck egg yolk represents the full moon. It is savory and rich, which balances the sweet filling. One yolk is traditional, two makes a richer cake and a more generous gift, and no yolk is the sweeter, simpler option.
What are the different mooncake flavors?
Ours come in lotus seed (the classic, smooth and delicately sweet), red bean (earthier and less sweet), taro (mellow and nutty), and mixed nuts (textured with seeds and nuts instead of a smooth paste).
How do you serve and eat a mooncake?
Cut it into small wedges, four to eight per cake, and share it. Mooncakes are rich, so they are served with hot tea such as oolong, pu-erh, or jasmine.
How do you store mooncakes?
Keep sealed boxes in a cool, dry place. Once a cake is cut, wrap it and refrigerate it, then eat it within a few days. Let a refrigerated cake come to room temperature before serving.
Which mooncake should I give as a gift?
Lotus seed with one or two egg yolks is the most traditional and the safest choice for a formal or business gift. An assorted box works well for a mixed group.