A 100-kilogram mooncake takes the spotlight at the moon cake tasting event at Chongfu Temple in Chongchuan district, Nantong on Aug 12. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

Chongfu Temple in Chongchuan district, Nantong hosted a mooncake tasting event on Aug 12, ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on Oct 1 this year.

Buddhist-style mooncakes are made with vegetarian ingredients. A praying ceremony is usually held by the monks in front of the oven before baking begins.

During the activity, several types of classic mooncakes were offered to participants.

According to Master Xuecheng, Chongfu Temple has always produced Buddhist-style mooncakes the traditional way. The temple also invited a pastry chef from Yufo Temple in Shanghai to demonstrate mooncake-making techniques.

"All the mooncakes are made by hand and the process is strictly controlled to ensure food safety," said Master Xuecheng.

During the tasting, a series of cultural performances featuring poetry recital, guqin (Chinese zither) and Chinese tea art were also staged.