寶傳 #03 分享圓籠茶粿

按客家傳統，分享圓籠茶粿象徵農曆新年的不同階段。年初一、年初二，人們互道吉祥，說好話、送祝福，充滿喜悅。到了年初三，則回歸本性，直言不諱，甚至赤口相駡。飲食習俗亦有分別︰年初一遵循不殺生的習俗，以素菜為主；年初二「開年劏雞殺鴨」，以大魚大肉象徵來年豐收，祈求風調雨順、國泰民安。

年初三分享圓籠茶粿，寓意「圓籠」同音「龍」，象徵活力與精神的釋放——「生龍活虎、龍馬精神、矯若遊龍」。這份傳統不僅鼓勵人們在逆境中尋找生命的正能量，增添信心與勇氣，亦提醒我們感恩大地的豐饒供應。圓籠茶粿，更承載着珍惜與人分享的人情味。

猶記得，父輩切圓籠茶粿時使用大菜刀，後來筆者觀察到有人在切糭子時，以綁繩位開糭子，迅速分為兩半，深受啟發，於是試著製作專門切圓籠茶粿的工具︰在鐵線兩端綁上手柄，只需雙手拉動鐵線，便能輕鬆將茶粿分割成整齊的塊狀。見下圖。

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Treasure #03 Sharing Round Steamed Sticky Rice Dumpling

Traditionally, sharing round steamed sticky rice dumpling symbolizes the different stages of the Lunar New Year. On the first and second days, people exchange auspicious greetings, speak kind words, and offer blessings, fillings the atmosphere with joy. By the third day, however, they return to their true nature, speaking bluntly and even quarrelling openly. Culinary customs also vary: on the first day, the practice of refraining from killing is observed, with vegetarian meal; on the second day, families “start the year by slaughtering chickens and ducks,” serving abundant fish and meat to symbolize harvest and pray for favourable weather, peace, and prosperity for the nation.

On the third day, sharing round steamed sticky rice dumpling carries special meaning: yuán long is a homophone for “dragon” (lóng), symbolizing the release of vitality and spirit – “as living as dragon and tiger, imbued with the vigor of a steed, graceful as moving dragon”. This tradition not only encourages people to seek positive energy in the face of adversity, strengthening confidence and courage, but also reminds us to be grateful for the earth’s abundant gift. The round steamed sticky rice dumpling embodies the warmth of cherishing and sharing with others.

I still recall how the elders used a large cleaver to cut round steamed sticky rice dumpling. Later, I observed someone cutting a rice dumpling by pulling apart the tied string, swiftly dividing it into two halves. Deeply inspired, I attempted to create a tool specifically for cutting round steamed sticky rice dumpling: by fastening handles to both ends of an iron wire, one can simply pull the wire with both hands to slice it neatly into even pieces. See illustration below.

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