Get ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year

February 5 marks the beginning of a very special time for the Chinese and several other cultures, as it is the beginning of the lunar new year. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, which is based on the sun, the lunar calendar uses the moon to set its dates, which means that the lunar new year doesn’t land on the same day each year and can range from January 21 to February 20. You will find out this tidbit and many more interesting facts in a website dedicated to this important holiday, celebrated by 20% of the world’s population. 

Although many facets of the Chinese New Year celebration are unique (check out the legend behind the practice of lighting fireworks during the hollday for a fascinating example), one thing is has in common with many other holidays is the substantial food tradition that accompanies it. People in the northern part of China celebrate with dumplings, while in the South they are more likely to nosh on spring rolls or tangyuan. For sweets, Nian gao, also known as “rice cake” or “New Year cake” in English, are a must for Chinese New Year. Many of the traditional New Year’s foods are symbols of good luck and prosperity in the coming year. 

If you want to celebrate but need a head start on recipes, check out these from the EYB Library:

• Brussels sprouts and bacon dumplings from Dumplings All Day Won by Lee Ann Wong (pictured)
• Crispy-fried whole fish with tamarind chilli sauce from The Spirit House: Thai Cooking by Helen Brierty and Annette Fear
• Chinese New Year cakes Suzhou style (Sūshì niángāo / 蘇式年糕) from Madame Huang’s Kitchen by Carolyn Phillips
• Five shreds longevity noodles for the New Year from ‘Easy Asian Noodles’ from Serious Eats by Helen Chen

And don’t forget to enter our Chinese New Year promotion!