History
Mazao (Sesame Rice Puffs) is the sweet comfort held in the palms of people from Nansheng, Pinghe, Zhangzhou. With a 700-year history, it has traveled a long way-from a humble folk tea snack to an imperial tribute.
Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, a scholar brought these puffs to the capital. After taking a bite, the emperor was so delighted that he instantly rewarded the scholar with an official's hat, and Mazao was officially inscribed in the imperial tribute registry.
Over the centuries, it has graced the altar during the Kitchen God Festival, carrying hopes for a sweet year ahead. It also finds its perfect home on the traditional Minnan tea table, where its sweetness beautifully balances the earthy bitterness of Tieguanyin tea.
Development
Today, while staying true to its roots, family workshops have introduced healthier twists like oat and coconut flavors, and these puffs are now exported across Southeast Asia. They are a morning companion to soy milk, an afternoon tea treat, a festive gift for visiting relatives, and a heartfelt snack packed into the luggage of travelers leaving home.
Take a bite: the sesame crust shatters delicately, the maltose stretches into fine, silky threads, and the inside melts away like a soft cloud. This is the most unpretentious, comforting taste of Minnan family reunions.
Crispy outside, chewy inside! Meet Mazao: A 700-year-old Minnan sweet. Legend says an emperor loved it so much, he rewarded a scholar with an official's hat! Today, it's the perfect pairing for your afternoon tea. Take a bite and taste the history!
