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Mooncakes are on sale in Xinchang county, Shaoxing, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

With Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, mooncake sellers in Xinchang county, Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, are already preparing for the season's demand.

Handmade shops, bakeries, and supermarkets are gearing up to capture the festive market.

In supermarkets, mooncake sections are well-stocked with a variety of flavors, from individually wrapped treats to beautifully packaged gift boxes. This year, "low oil, low sugar, low fat" mooncakes are the main trend. One supermarket offers nearly 100 varieties, catering to diverse tastes.

On Aug 22, workers at Tongxing Foods were busy kneading dough, shaping balls, stuffing fillings, pressing cakes, and baking trays. Before long, the aroma of freshly baked mooncakes filled the air.

"These artisans have over 20 years of experience," said Chen Wanlong, chairman of the time-honored company. "Their hands are as precise as scales, ensuring each mooncake has the perfect weight. Our mooncakes go through 10 steps of preparation, which makes them exceptionally crisp."

Tongxing remains committed to traditional small-batch baking techniques. Using high-quality ingredients and handmade methods, Tongxing's mooncakes are known for their crisp texture and balanced sweetness, making them a local favorite.

Chen Wanlong added that they began sourcing ingredients in mid-August, ensuring ample stock. To meet evolving market demands, Tongxing continues to innovate while staying true to tradition. The company now offers over 20 flavors across its classic Suzhou and Cantonese-style mooncake lines.

"While we maintain our traditional craftsmanship, we've made many new attempts to appeal to younger tastes," said Chen. "We've developed fruit-flavored mooncakes like cantaloupe and pineapple, as well as low-sugar varieties like purple sweet potato and chestnut."