{"id":26230,"date":"2022-03-25T17:08:46","date_gmt":"2022-03-25T16:08:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bake-street.com\/?p=26230"},"modified":"2026-04-08T12:25:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T10:25:26","slug":"longevity-peach-steamed-buns-shou-tao","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bake-street.com\/en\/longevity-peach-steamed-buns-shou-tao\/","title":{"rendered":"Longevity peach, steamed buns – Sh\u00f2u t\u00e1o"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am in love with many things, but in particular and at this very moment with these buns that have fascinated me. Not only for the obvious, their wonderful appearance, but for their flavor and tenderness. Longevity peach, steamed buns – Sh\u00f2ut\u00e1o Bao (\u5bff\u6843\u5305).<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have been looking for new recipes for a few weeks now, from different parts of the world, because I really want to elaborate and try new things. While it is true that what makes up this elaboration are recipes that I know and have tried, I can not say the same about their originality. It is almost impossible to see them and not be tempted to make them! In addition, it is a very simple recipe to carry out (unlike the last video recipe<\/strong><\/a> that I have left you), it does not require much kneading, no longer rising time… Nor oven. In 14 minutes they will be ready to eat. We can’t ask for more, no matter how you look at it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

These small, incredibly tender buns, usually made with a sweet filling inside, are very popular in Chinese culture. They look like peaches<\/strong>, a fruit that represents longevity in China<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Longevity <\/picture><\/div>\n
Why are they called longevity peach buns?<\/h5>\n

Sh\u00f2u<\/strong><\/em> means longevity<\/strong> and t\u00e1o<\/strong> <\/em>means peach<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Why is this fruit the chosen one?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The peach is an icon of long life that comes from the folklore of Shou Xing Gong<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (“s-ow sing goh-n-guh”), deity of longevity.<\/p>\n

Legend has it that Shou Xing Gong<\/em> is the Longevity Star in the southern constellation of Argo<\/strong>. The earliest known record of Sh\u00f2u X\u012bng<\/em> as a deity is the Sh\u01d0 j\u00ed<\/em> \u53f2\u7c4d<\/strong> (historical records, 149-90 BC). This star is known as Canopus<\/strong>, the largest of the stars in the constellation Carina<\/strong><\/a>, and the second brightest in the sky<\/strong>. In Chinese mythology, the star is known as the Old Man of the South Pole<\/strong> (N\u00e1nj\u00ed l\u01ceor\u00e9n, \u5357\u6781\u8001\u4eba)<\/strong> and is seen in the south from the Autumnal Equinox until early spring.<\/p>\n

When observed it usually has a reddish color, a symbol of happiness and longevity in China<\/strong>, Canopus is also known in China and its neighboring countries of Korea, Japan and Vietnam as the Star of Old Age<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Shou Xing<\/em>is easily recognizable by his oversized forehead, which represents wisdom, and his extra long beard, which is meant to represent having lived a long life.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Shou Xing Gong <\/em>is always depicted holding a long staff and a peach<\/strong>, both symbols of longevity<\/strong>, which are said to come from Xi Wangmu’s<\/em> magical peach garden located in the sky<\/strong>. Xi Wangmu<\/em> is also called Yin<\/strong> <\/em>and is the personification of femininity and Chi energy of the same name<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The peach trees in her garden only bloom every 3,000 years<\/strong>. The famous figure of the god of longevity carries the peach of immortality as an offering, showing that long life can be granted to those who pay their respects to Shou Xing Gong<\/em>.<\/p>\n

It is known that Shou Xing Gong<\/em> had a very long life despite being a sickly child during his childhood. The peach he wears is a symbol of immortality. Therefore, in art and sculpture, Shou Xing Gong<\/em> is always seen carrying one.<\/p>\n

From this arose the tradition, since ancient times, that immortal beings were given peaches<\/strong> as they promised to bestow longevity. They were called peaches of immortality<\/strong> and, to this day, the peach has been used as a symbol of longevity.<\/p>\n

It is common to see fresh peaches or steamed peach longevity buns as gifts on birthdays<\/strong> in Chinese culture.<\/p>\n

\"Longevity <\/picture><\/div>\n
Origin of Sh\u00f2ut\u00e1o Bao – Peach of longevity.<\/h5>\n

This sweet treat is a Cantonese elaboration, originally from the province of Guang Dong<\/strong>, in the southeast of China. It is customary in southeast Chinese culture to give symbolic gifts to friends, relatives or neighbors on their birthdays.<\/p>\n

Other types of gifts include gold in the shape of a peach<\/strong>, or yee mein<\/em> (noodles)<\/strong> eaten together.<\/p>\n

These gifts have a symbolism<\/strong> and that is that you want the birthday person to live forever<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This peach-shaped bun is originally filled with lotus paste<\/a><\/strong>, although it can also be filled with anko<\/strong><\/a>, a sweet red bean paste. Depending on the baker, it can have more or less detail in the decoration. It is usually colored with red dye, to give a pinkish hue, and decorated with leaves.<\/p>\n

The Cantonese have the custom of giving them as gifts on birthdays to express their wish to celebrate more birthdays in the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n