The Peninsula Manila flies in this highly coveted mid-autumn delicacy from Hong Kong

The mid-autumn festival is one of the most spectacular celebrations in Chinese culture and mooncakes have long been a signature highlight of the festival, which usually falls around September and October, the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year it takes place on Sept. 21.

Mooncake-lovers have always been of the opinion that there is no substitute for those created by The Peninsula brand in Hong Kong and this year, for a limited time only, the highly sought-after mini egg custard mooncakes are available to purchase at The Peninsula Manila.

The history of The Peninsula mooncakes dates back to 1986 in Hong Kong, where Michelin-starred Spring Moon’s culinary team raised the bar on this storied confectionery, blending eastern tradition with western culinary techniques to create an utterly decadent treat. Since then, The Peninsula’s mooncakes’ popularity and status have continued to rise.

Also known as Zhongqiu Jie, the mid-autumn festival traditionally marks the end of the autumn harvest, which has been celebrated as far back as the Zhou Dynasty, the longest of China’s dynasties that lasted from 1046 to 256 B.C. The festival is a time to give thanks to the lunar deity, Chang’Er, the moon goddess of immortality. Legend says that hearing the cries of a virtuous wedded woman fleeing the clutches of a rapacious courtier, the goddess gave her the elixir of immortality upon which the woman floated to the heavens and landed on the moon where she could watch over her beloved husband for all eternity.

Also known as Zhongqiu Jie, the mid-autumn festival traditionally marks the end of the autumn harvest, which has been celebrated as far back as the Zhou Dynasty, the longest of China’s dynasties that lasted from 1046 to 256 B.C.

But there is another story on the origin of the mooncake shared by The Peninsula Manila’s Grace Lim. It was a story told to her by her father when she was a little girl.

“My father, Dr. Jose Lim, told us how the traditional mooncakes played a very significant role in helping the Chinese gain freedom from Mongol rule at the end of the Yuan Dynasty in the 14th century,” said Grace.

Chafing under their Mongol oppressors, the Chinese, according to Grace’s story, organized themselves under the leadership of rebel leader Zhu Yuan Zhang. Weeks prior to the Mid-Autumn Festival he had his followers slip coded messages into mooncakes, which he sent to all the Han Chinese households in the capital city of Dadu (later renamed Beijing by the succeeding Ming dynasty). The delicious baked confections contained this message: “Kill the Mongols on the 15th day of the 8th month.” The plan was a success and managed to overthrow the Mongols.

It is in awe of this historical anecdote that we can better enjoy the equally fascinating mooncakes from Hong Kong. Now available for pre-order at The Peninsula Boutique and available for pick-up and delivery starting the first week of September, guests can purchase a box of Four Pieces, Mini Egg Custard Mooncakes, at ₱3,888 and Eight Pieces, Assorted Mini Mooncakes at ₱4,888, and Eight Mini Egg Custard Mooncakes at ₱4,888.

There’s an early bird special offer of 10 percent off when you order before Sept. 14. Call The Peninsula Boutique at +63 917 557 8014, email [email protected] ,visit the website peninsula.com, or through PenChat, The Peninsula Manila’s 24-hour e-concierge by using this link: https://bit.ly/PenChatFacebook.