Agricultural tourism expert guide, Futain Village Eco-educational Farm(福田園教育休閒農場), Director Bing-Yi

How to make the yummy chewy-skinned-and-full-of-filling “mugwort cakes (草仔粿)” in our childhood memory?

Q: “Mugwort cake” is one of our traditional foods. But now it is not easy to taste them or have a chance to make it in person. Would you please share the making process of mugwort cake with us?
A: The practice and ingredients for mugwort cake vary by people and local cultures. Here is the DIY process in Futain Village Eco-educational Farm:
◆Step 1. Divide the sticky-rice ball (糯米團) into appropriate size, use the same techniques for making tangyuan (湯圓) to make the sticky-rice ball supple and chewy.
◆Step 2. Press a dent with the thumb, stuff the filling then seal it, knead to a ball shape.
◆Step 3. Apply a layer of soybean oil to the mould of “hung kuei cake (紅龜粿)”, press the sticky-rice ball into the mould and cover with the rice dumplings leaves (粽葉).
◆Step 4. Knock out the mugwort cake from the mould and steam in the steaming basket before served.
Q: More and more people enjoy western pastry, why does the farm plan the DIY activity for traditional cuisine mugwort cake?
A: Asides from the mugwort cake acitivity, we also provide DIY activity for western herbal cookies. Nowadays people don’t have many opportunities to be surrounded by nature, and the villages are getting fewer, it is difficult for kids to experience the past traditional culture. Through these activities, kids can taste the delicious food in the village, get to know the rice culture and experience the fun of “pressing the cake into the mould”.
Q: There is DIY activity for herbal cookies on the farm? Are the herbs grown by yourselves? What kinds of herbs are available?
A: We have several kinds of herbs. When we make cookies, we normally use lemon mint marigold for it brings the aroma of passion fruit. Besides, rosemary is often used as well. The aforementioned ingredients are freshly picked, not dried.
Q: Wow! Sounds like an experiential activity filling with colors and aromas! How do people get participated?
A: Welcome to the website, http://www.2ftv.com.tw , to make reservations. DIY package activities require a minimum of 20 participants. A sweet reminder: please bring your own bowls and chopsticks in response to lower the carbon and save the energy.