Cake in Beijing

Say,"cake" in Chinese and what comes to mind – and stomach - are sponges. Like most sponges, they're made of eggs, sugar and wheat powder. A bit of mixing, a bit of baking – and yum! It’s a Western tradition - and it's becoming increasingly popular in Beijing.

(Interview)Liang Shan, Office Worker:"We ate cake just at birthdays when I was a little girl. Now, we eat cake also at weddings, Christmas, friends’ gatherings, and a variety of celebrations."

Cake is traditionally on the menu at happy occasions, and cutting the Wedding Cake has become a key part of the nuptials of fashionable young people. Different couples choose different styles, and that all-important wedding cake symbolizes their life together.

The popularity of cake in Beijing is also reflected by an increase in cake shops and the varieties of baked treats on their shelves.

Now, whether in a bustling business district, or a quiet residential area, or around schools, you can be sure there will be cake shops. People also go online to get e-cakes, from the growing number of home delivery services. Choose, if you can, from Cheese Cake, Tiramisu, Sponge Cake, Chiffon Cake, Vanilla Cream Cake, Black Forest Cake and so many others..

(Interview)Liang Shan, Office Worker:"In my childhood，birthday cake was basically a circular cake. Now cakes comes in all varieties. And I like the truly creative cakes."

For sweet-toothed fans, cake should not only taste delicious, but also be good-looking. Presentation and originality should match flavour – meaning double temptation for people. And this upsurge in cake design reflects the passion and vitality of the city's creative economy.

Many people enjoy the fun of baking their own, for hand-making a cake for a loved one to eat is such a nice thing to do . Many people like home-made cake, and blog on recipe sites to share their kitchen secrets with online friends. Some even become famous, and publish cake books. Others open online cake shops and become Baking Queens!

Beijing's changing cake scene is a sign of China's evolution. An edible one.

Video & Story：Cong Fangjun