Spring arrives in China with flow of sticky rice dumpling sales

Seasonal snack: People are seen posing for pictures during spring in Yuyuantan Park in Beijing. Qingtuan consumption is on the rise across the nation as the weather becomes warmer. — Reuters

BEIJING: Deemed as a sign marking the arrival of spring in some regions in China, qingtuan – Chinese green sticky rice dumplings made with mugwort – consumption is on the rise across the nation.

Data from Alibaba’s fresh food retailer Hema showed that in the first 15 days after qingtuan was put on digital shelves in early February, the sales volume soared sevenfold compared to the same period in the previous year.