Popular ham mooncakes from southwest China's Yunnan Province have played a somewhat significant role in boosting a time-honored local traditional food industry during the ongoing National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season this year, integrating tradition, innovation and industrial development.
In Xuanwei City of Yunnan, ham-filled mooncakes have captivated consumer taste buds and gained substantial market attention. The city, renowned as the "home of ham in China," has skillfully blended traditional "Xuanwei ham", innovation and industrial development within this savory holiday treat.
Xuanwei ham is a household name in China with a history of more than a thousand years. Featuring thin skin, thick flesh and moderate fat, it is characterized by its rose-red color, delightful flavor and pleasant taste.
Distinct from conventional sweet varieties, Xuanwei's ham mooncakes feature a savory filling that sets them apart, characterized by their rich aroma and golden-brown crust.
At a local food company's plant in Xuanwei, the production area hums with activity as staff work diligently to fulfill soaring holiday orders for ham mooncakes.
"Our mooncake production line can make up to 1.2 million pieces a day. Right now, we're producing about 500 to 600 thousand daily, and total sales this year are expected to reach around 100 million yuan, about 14 million US dollars," said Yang Huiping, general manager of Xuanwei Puji Ham Food Company.
While traditional methods relied entirely on manual craftsmanship, contemporary automated equipment now maintains highly efficient production, enabling manufacturers to satisfy growing demand while preserving authentic flavors.
However, innovation extends beyond mere production speed or scale. Flavor and quality remain central to every new product development.
"We've developed a new type of mooncake that's lower in oil, sugar, and salt. It uses local farm eggs and premium sunflower oil, so it's light and not greasy. And we use black pork ham aged for more than two years, which gives it a rich, savory flavor," Yang said.
The rising popularity of ham mooncakes mirrors the vigorous expansion of Xuanwei's dedicated ham production sector.
Building upon over six centuries of ham-curing heritage, the city is now upgrading its industrial chain. Additionally, several ham-themed manors have opened throughout the city, offering visitors opportunities to learn traditional curing techniques, sample regional cuisine, and purchase specialty products.
"We plan to further enhance the cultural, brand and tourism value of Xuanwei ham. For example, our ham manors, industrial park, museum and ham-themed pedestrians are all being developed into a series of premium tourist attractions," said Zhang Simin, director of the Xuanwei ham industry office.
From festive dining tables to industrial development, the success of Xuanwei ham mooncakes demonstrates the enduring vitality of traditional foods in the modern market. This distinctive delicacy not only preserves the culinary culture of the Mid-Autumn Festival but also revitalizes six centuries of ham-curing craftsmanship through industrial upgrade. Achieving a remarkable transformation from local specialty to nationally recognized product, it has become a flavorful bridge connecting tradition with innovation, culture with economy.
The National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday season runs from October 1 to 8 this year.
Savory ham mooncakes boost local industry in southwest China during holiday season
