Kue Keranjang
Encyclopedia
Kue Keranjang, also called Nian Gao (年糕) or Tii Kwee (甜棵) in Hokkian, China
, is a cake that is made from glutinous flour and sugar. It has an elastic and sticky texture. This kind of cake is prepared for Imlek celebrations (Chinese New Year
). Kue keranjang was used as an offering to spirits, just before New Year (Jie Sie Siang Ang) until the day of Imlek. As an offering, this cake should not be eaten until Chap Goh Meh (15 days after Imlek).
People believe that the cake was given to satisfy Dewa Tungku
, who was supposed to deliver a report to the Heavenly King (玉皇大帝，Yu Huang Da Di). The shape is round, symbolizing unity and peace.
Kue Keranjang is produced in many towns, like Bogor
and Yogyakarta in Indonesia
.
, this cake was named Kue Keranjang because the wrapper is made from a bamboo
basket with a little hole in the middle. In West Java
, it was named China Cake, as the origin of the cake from China
, but some call it China Cake because the producers are Chinese (known as Tionghoa).
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, is a cake that is made from glutinous flour and sugar. It has an elastic and sticky texture. This kind of cake is prepared for Imlek celebrations (Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
). Kue keranjang was used as an offering to spirits, just before New Year (Jie Sie Siang Ang) until the day of Imlek. As an offering, this cake should not be eaten until Chap Goh Meh (15 days after Imlek).
People believe that the cake was given to satisfy Dewa Tungku
Zao Jun
In Chinese folk religion and Chinese mythology, the Kitchen God, named Zao Jun or Zao Shen , is the most important of a plethora of Chinese domestic gods that protect the hearth and family with the addition of being celebrated...
, who was supposed to deliver a report to the Heavenly King (玉皇大帝，Yu Huang Da Di). The shape is round, symbolizing unity and peace.
Kue Keranjang is produced in many towns, like Bogor
Bogor
Bogor is a city on the island of Java in the West Java province of Indonesia. The city is located in the center of the Bogor Regency , 60 kilometers south of the Indonesian capital Jakarta...
and Yogyakarta in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
.
Origin of the name
Kue keranjang was originally named as Nien Kao or Ni-Kwee or Yearly Cake or Seasonal Cake, because they are only made once a year. In East JavaEast Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
, this cake was named Kue Keranjang because the wrapper is made from a bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
basket with a little hole in the middle. In West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
, it was named China Cake, as the origin of the cake from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, but some call it China Cake because the producers are Chinese (known as Tionghoa).