Everyone looks forward to the fortune cookies at the end of a meal in a Chinese restaurant. Without them people would be very disappointed. How did the Chinese people come up with such a novel idea for dessert?
The much anticipated fortune cookie is the delightful ending to a wonderful meal. It is both delicious and fun.
As a traditional New Year’s celebration, the Chinese people would exchange what are known as Moon cakes. These Moon cakes were made with Lotus paste and would contain an egg yolk in the middle.
The truth about the fortune cookie is this. During the time when China was ruled by the Mongols, at some time during the 14th century, the Chinese people begin planning an uprising. They wanted to keep this uprising a secret from the Mongols. According to this legend, the Mongols did not like the taste of lotus paste. The Chinese people were planning the uprising decided to hide messages within the moon cakes giving the details of the uprising. This way they could get the message out with out the Mongols hearing about it.
The fortune cookie was first introduced to the west during the time of the building of the great railroads. Traditionally these fortune cookies were made by hand. During the 1960s these fortune cookies began to be made by machine in the United States.
Today’s fortune cookie has become a bit of a gourmet treat. You will find fortune cookies and assorted flavors and colors. You can even order fortune cookies containing your own personal messages.
The origin of fortune cookie is quite interesting. Enjoying them after a meal in a Chinese restaurant is a relatively new idea, but without them this bill would not be the same.