The Year of the Ox is around the corner, which means it’s time to clean up the house and make it guest-ready for when friends and family come to visit—that includes filling up your CNY candy box
While there are numerous Chinese New Year traditions to follow during this season, the one that little ones are the most excited about (aside from red pockets), is the Chinese candy box.
The candy box, traditionally made in a circular shape and coloured in red, comes with several dividers for families to fill it up with different types of candies, nuts and seeds. Seen as a symbol of luck and togetherness, the box of goodies is usually offered to guests to snack on during Chinese New Year.
Thinking of continuing this Chinese New Year tradition at home? From traditional must-have sweets, to luxury options, and healthy alternatives, we list out the best Chinese New Year candy box fillers options for you to choose from.
See also: Eating Your Fortune: The Art Of The Chinese New Year Candy Box
Traditional Fillers
Lotus Seeds
A symbol of harvest and abundance, lotus seeds are the most important item in the traditional Chinese candy box. You’ll usually find two types of melon seeds in stores: a smaller, red seed and a larger, fleshier brownish black seed. Unlike sugary sweets, lotus seeds are low in cholesterol and have high nutrient content, making them the perfect snack to nibble on while hanging out with friends and family.