Jingbajian: The City of Beijing in a Pastry

If you ask an old Beijinger, what is the "paimian" in the dim sum box? The answer is nine times out of ten - Jingbajian. This is not merely a box of pastries, it is an edible cultural code, a deep friendship that carries the seasonal customs of Beijing people and it is full of a sense of ceremony. 

From Imperial Delicacies to Folk Intangible Cultural Heritages

Jingbajian, also known as "Da Ba Jian", is a combination of eight different shapes and flavors of Beijing-style pastries. It is the most distinctive traditional product among Beijing-style pastries, and its production techniques have been included in the list of intangible cultural heritages of Beijing. However, the number "eight" is far more than just a quantity; it also represents the seasonal concept of "Four Seasons and Eight Festivals" and the auspicious meaning of "Eight Blessings and Eight Good Fortune". 

 

The imperial kitchen of the Ming Dynasty was first established. The pastry chefs of the imperial kitchen gathered the essence of both the north and the south to create countless exquisitely shaped and auspicious pastries. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, these skills spread among the common people and were passed down and developed by time-honored brands such as "Daoxiangcun", eventually forming the "Jingbajian" that we are familiar with today.

Form, Taste and Meaning

In terms of form, each piece is a delicate work of art: the "Fu" character cake symbolizes good fortune, the "Lu" character cake implies high official position and generous salary, the "Shou" character cake wishes for good health and longevity, the "Xi" character cake looks forward to the arrival of happy events, the jujube flower cake implies the early birth of a noble son, the "silver ingot" cake symbolizes prosperous wealth, the walnut pastry implies harmony and happiness, and the red bean paste cake symbolizes happiness and reunion.

In terms of flavor, traditional fillings such as hawthorn, jujube paste, rose, and red bean paste, in harmony with the natural rhythm, reflect the life wisdom of "eating according to the season" in old Beijing. Meanwhile, Jingbajian are the culinary expressions of a land of courtesy. Whether it is during festivals, weddings, or the birthdays of the elderly, they are important carriers for conveying blessings and maintaining human relationships. This box of pastries no longer merely holds food; it also carries profound emotions and culture.

New Challenges for Old Craftsmanship

However, as an intangible cultural heritage, Jingbajian are also facing many challenges today. The first and foremost thing is the persistence of craftsmanship. A genuine piece of Jingbajian, from kneading the dough, making the filling to shaping and baking, all rely on the master's years of experience. This kind of "manual skill" is particularly precious in the fast-paced industrial age and also faces the risk of a transmission gap. Meanwhile, the competition of flavors is also a major test. Faced with the impact of Western pastries and desserts, can the taste buds of young people still appreciate this relatively simple and slightly sweet traditional flavor?

 

Facing challenges, many time-honored brands are also actively innovating, among which Beijing Daoxiangcun Zero Store can be regarded as a model of innovation. It broke through the traditional store model and successfully completed a cultural transformation, turning it into cultural symbols such as stone lions and plaques, attracting a large number of young consumers to actively explore, check in and share. This proves that the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage is not merely about adhering to the old ways. Through the expansion of IP and modern expression, the old flavors can definitely find resonance in the new era.